Flynn eyes play-off bid after gritty win
NEWPORT manager Michael Flynn has challenged his players to put back-to-back wins together to continue their rise up the table after their victory over Carlisle moved them up three places.
The FA Cup giantkillers had goals from Ade Azeez and Padraig Amond to thank for a victory that moved them into 12th place, five off the play-off places.
Talking about his side’s chances of reaching the top seven, Flynn said: “I am always hopeful, but we have got to win a couple of games in a row.
“We have got to back this up. We’ve got two tough away games – Northampton have hit form and Colchester are tough at home – and if you offered me three points out of six now I’d take it.
“I thought we were brilliant. First-half they created one or two chances from our own mistakes, but Carlisle aren’t a bad team and they play some good football.”
The 25-year-old Azeez, bought on transfer deadline day in January from Cambridge, marked his full debut with a 14th-minute goal as he prodded home an Amond header from a corner.
“He is going to frustrate the life out of me at times, I know that, but he is so threatening,” added Flynn.
Callum O’Hare created two great openings in the first half for the visitors, but neither Hallam Hope or Stefan Scougall could finish them off.
The game was made safe when Amond scored his 21st goal of the season in the 67th minute after Jamille Matt had risen to meet a Josh Sheehan cross. Carlisle earned an 85th-minute penalty when Tom Parkes was hauled down in the area, but Joe Day dived to his right to save Danny Grainger’s spot-kick.
Carlisle have two home games in the space of four days to come against Swindon Town and Notts County and manager Steve Pressley wants to see his side get back to winning ways.
“We are still only a point off the playoffs, but there is no doubt we have got to get back to winning ways,” he said.
“We can’t keep on giving away goals like we have in recent weeks and we have to do the basics of football better.
“It was quite an even contest if you take the goals out of it, but it is goals that decide games.”