Newport County manager Michael Flynn is urging his players to believe in themselves after their dramatic 3-2 League Two win against Notts County at Rodney Parade.
Jamaican-born striker Jamille Matt scored the winner five minutes into second half injury time and Flynn said: “The goals we conceded made the game harder than it should have been.
“They were two poor goals if I’m honest, but we played some really good football and deserved the win. We should have been out of sight.
“They players showed character, resilience and kept going.
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“I have a great group of players and they have to realise how good they can be so they can match their ambition.”
Former Plymouth and Blackpool forward Matt fired Newport’s winner after Padraig Amond headed a looping cross back across goal and Matt was able to touch home.
Flynn’s team have won both of their home matches this season and now focus on their third fixture at Rodney Parade, against Grimsby Town on Saturday.
Notts County scored first when Kane Hemmings stole a yard on defenders Scot Bennett and Fraser Franks to score from Enzio Boldewijn’s cross with 12 minutes gone.
Franks equalised when he headed in from a Matt Dolan corner after 24 minutes and two minutes later Mark Harris scored after good work by Amond.
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Newport were rocked substitute Kristian Dennis made it 2-2, stabbing home at the far post with three minutes left.
Notts County were ecstatic, but this was Newport’s night and Matt’s late, late strike with second left earned his team a win which lifts them to eighth in the table.
Amond has scored four goals this season and couldn’t add to that tally against Notts, but he set up two of Newport’s goals and played a major part in their victory.
Flynn made two changes to the side that battled to a draw at league leaders Exeter City on Saturday.
Tyler Forbes took over from David Pipe at full-back, while Harris was given the nod ahead of Matt.
Mickey Demetriou was Newport captain with Andrew Crofts failing a late fitness test because of a toe problem.
The experienced Crofts is confident he will be back to lead the team for Grimsby’s visit on Saturday.
Newport County AFC (3-5-2): Day, Butler, Franks, Demetriou (capt), Bennett, Forbes, Dolan (Cooper 83), Bakinson, Sheehan (Marsh-Brown 70), Harris (Matt 88), Amond. Subs not used: Townsend, Pipe, O’Brien, Semenyo.
Notts County (4-4-2): Fitzsimons, Hewitt, Duffy, Brisley, Jones (Kellett 86), Boldewijn, Vaughan (Crawford 61), Husin, Thomas, Stead (Dennis 74), Hemmings. Subs not used: Culverwell, Bird, Alessandra, Kellett, Hawkridge
Referee: Alan Young
Attendance: 2,935 (185 away)
