Goals to be at a premium at Rodney Parade

Newport head into the post-season as the in-form side in League Two. Can Mike Flynn produce more magic and get them to the play-off final?

Back from the brink

When Mike Flynn took the job at Newport County his wife tried to persuade him not to. She was clearly worried that a relegation would not get his management career off to the best start and given the nature of football it could be his only opportunity.

Well, he didn’t listen to her and the Exile fans are counting their blessings. The dramatic final day victory over Notts County kept them up and they have never looked back.

FA Cup runs have probably been the highlight but reaching the League Two play-offs in a campaign that saw several teams spending fairly hefty sums on either signings, wages or, in some cases, both, is a massive achievement.

They have completely changed since Flynn has taken charge with desire, unity and commitment all clearly on show.

The perfect form

The Exiles head into the play-offs on the back of some brilliant form which helped lift them into the top seven.

In fact, they are unbeaten in the last 10 games while Mansfield appear to be really struggling.

Newport will have to continue that momentum against a team that finished five points better off in the table but doubting Mike Flynn’s side has become a dangerous business.

Seven clean-sheets in the last 10 games of the campaign just highlights how effective Newport have been as a defensive unit while Mansfield put in an awful performance at Stadium MK in a game where they only needed a point to secure automatic promotion.

Will Mansfield bounce back?

To describe the Stags performance at Milton Keynes as anything other woeful would be inaccurate. They knew a point would be enough but nothing went right for them on the day and in the end, they were fortunate to only lose the game by a single goal.

David Flitcroft now has to pick up his charges ahead of the trip to Rodney Parade on the back of three straight defeats. The talent is there for the Stags but they need to harness it in the right system or it could be a tough night in south Wales for Manfield

Newport County v Mansfield Town Betting tip

Neither side will want to give any ground with the second leg already on their minds so it will probably be a tetchy affair. Both sides are good at the back with Newport especially impressive in the last month so backing there to be under 1.5 goals at odds of 11/5 is a very good shout.

Bet Under 1.5 goals on Betfred