Mike Flynn says Newport County AFC’s draw at strugglers Macclesfield Town could turn out to be a ‘huge point’ after the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at The Moss Rose.
The Exiles extended their unbeaten run to seven matches thanks to the stalemate, but chances were few and far between, Scot Bennett drawing a save from Kieran O’Hara in the only real clear-cut chance.
Substitute Ben Kennedy made a difference when he was introduced but couldn’t find the target with two curling efforts, while Padraig Amond, Keanu-Marsh Brown and Matty Dolan also came close.
At the other end, Elliott Durrell and Harry Smith both wasted glorious opportunities when failing to hit the target, as both sides had to settle for a point in Cheshire.
Read the full match report.
Flynn affirmed: “There wasn’t too many clear-cut opportunities, but we dominated the game from start to finish.
“We played some really good football at times.
“I’m very positive and look, we’ve got one less game.
“This point could be huge. Warm day, dry pitch, lot of people struggling through illness and injuries.”
As Flynn hinted to, the squad was depleted for the trip to the Silkmen but still put in a decent shift to control the contest.
Flynn revealed: “My players gave me absolutely everything. I’ve got Regan Poole who wasn’t fit with a swollen foot, Dan Butler should never have played through illness.
“Jamille Matt couldn’t play – Joss Labadie is out; Andrew Crofts is out so I can’t praise them enough. They were excellent.
“Jamille is likely to be fine for Saturday. We knew he couldn’t play this one, but I had to give Macclesfield something to think about.
“He wanted to travel up so I told him to just go on the bench and pretend that he could come on at any time.”
Remarkably, no one around the Exiles won either so it’s still as you were in terms of the League Two play-off chase.
County still trail Exeter City by two points with a game in hand ahead of the final three fixtures of the campaign.
The Exiles welcome League Two champions Lincoln City to Rodney Parade on Saturday, Oldham Athletic come to South Wales the following Tuesday before the regular season concludes with a long trip to Morecambe.
Nine points from nine will be enough to get County into the top-seven come the evening of May 4th and Flynn is looking forward to the run-in.
He added: "I think we’ve actually gained on two of the teams – Swindon lost, and Carlisle lost. It’s still in our hands.
"Congratulations to Lincoln City on winning the league. We know it’ll be a difficult game on Saturday, I’m sure they’ll have a look at a few players, but it’ll still be a talented squad and it’s going to be tough."
___________________________________
NEXT UP | County welcome League Two champions Lincoln City to Rodney Parade this Saturday. Please read the following statement regarding match tickets.
AFTER THAT | The Exiles conclude the regular home season with the visit of Oldham Athletic on 30th April. Buy tickets online here.
ON THE ROAD | County only have one journey to complete away from home in the regular season when they conclude the campaign at Morecambe on May 4th. Tickets to be made available through all club channels shortly.