SATURDAY promises to be a stressful day for everyone connected with Newport County AFC as they battle for a place in the League Two play-offs.
County are in pole position to seal a top-seven spot, but they could still be pipped at the post by Exeter City, Colchester United, Carlisle United or Stevenage.
So what do the Exiles have to do to ensure that they remain in seventh position at 5pm on Saturday?
Here we take a look at all the permutations and explore who Michael Flynn’s men could face in the play-offs – if they get there.
As it stands
45 down, one to go...#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueTwo pic.twitter.com/osOaoNvvHw
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) May 1, 2019
The fixtures that will seal County’s fate
Morecambe (18th) v Newport County (7th)
Forest Green Rovers (5th) v Exeter City (8th)
Lincoln City (1st) v Colchester United (9th)
Yeovil Town (24th) v Carlisle (10th)
Stevenage (11th) v Cheltenham Town (16th)
MK Dons (4th) v Mansfield Town (3rd)
The final-day permutations
The Exiles have the simplest task as they know that a win at Morecambe will guarantee them a place in the play-offs, no matter what happens elsewhere.
If it’s a draw at the Globe Arena, County will still make the play-offs – as long as Exeter don’t win at Forest Green.
If Flynn’s men draw and Exeter win, they will drop to eighth place and the Grecians will claim the final play-off spot.
If it all goes wrong at Morecambe and the Exiles are beaten, their chances of staying in the top seven are very slim indeed.
A defeat against the Shrimps would mean they would miss out on the play-offs, unless Exeter are beaten and Colchester, Carlisle and Stevenage all fail to win.
County’s potential play-off opponents
The team finishing seventh will take on the team finishing fourth over two legs.
That is currently MK Dons, who beat County home and away in February.
But if Paul Tisdale’s team win at home to Mansfield on Saturday, they will swap places.
That would leave Mansfield in fourth. County were beaten 3-0 at Field Mill on the opening day of the season back in August, but they did earn a 1-0 win over the Stags at Rodney Parade in February.
A draw between MK and Mansfield would leave the Dons in fourth place.
But, if Mansfield win in Milton Keynes and Forest Green beat Exeter, it will be Forest Green who finish fourth.
Rovers and County drew 1-1 at the New Lawn in October, but Mark Cooper’s men stormed to a 4-1 win at Rodney Parade on Boxing Day.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel