Sell-out crowd for County’s escape bid

NEWPORT County have confirmed their season finale against Notts County is sold out as the Exiles look to complete an unlikely great escape.

Rodney Parade’s 7,500 capacity been met by an unprecedented soaring ticket demand, with an entire city waiting with baited breath to see if Mike Flynn’s side can seal surival.

The Exiles take on Notts County while relegation rivals Hartlepool United meet promoted Doncaster Rovers at Victoria Park in a straight shoot-out to stay afloat.

Newport’s destiny is in their own hands.

A victory would complete a near-impossible escape for Flynn’s troops who were rock bottom of League Two, nine points from safety, when the former midfielder was appointed caretaker manager on March 9.

But after claiming a 2-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra in his first game, Flynn has inspired a team — and a city — after embarking on a fairytale run that lands them on the brink of the promised land.

They are now just one game from safety and a city has responded to the team’s astounding efforts and will pack Rodney Parade for the 5.30pm kick-off tomorrow.

It’s the first time the club have sold out Rodney Parade since they moved to the ground in 2012.

“It’s all to play for next week,” said Flynn last weekend. “We’re at home and we’ll sell the place out.

“We’ll have it rocking and the boys have got to rise to the occasion.

“The boys have put in performances good enough to get us to the last game and we have to take the chance to stay up.

“It’s a shootout now; it’s sudden death.”

The 3,714 that watched Newport lose 3-1 at home to Portsmouth back in December is the biggest home gate of the season so far, with that number set to be doubled.

Newport must match or better Pool’s result to secure Football League status for another year. Hartlepool have a superior goal difference, but County still are two points ahead with a game to go.

A draw or even defeat against Notts County would be good enough if Hartlepool fail to beat Doncaster. Otherwise, the Exiles must win to maintain the twopoint cushion.