NEWPORT County face a major battle to keep their heads above the relegation zone today as they face one of the form teams in the Nationwide South at Spytty Park (kick-off 3pm).

St Albans are the visitors and while the league table may show the Saints just below County in 17th place, only three goals separate the clubs and they have amassed 13 points in their last six matches, compared to Newport's return of just two.

Only runaway league-leaders Grays and Sutton United have taken more points in the same period, with 15, while only plummeting Redbridge, with six defeats on the trot, have picked up fewer points than County in the last six games.

Similar to County, the Saints have had to endure a turbulent season with financial problems, player departures and two managers resigning, firstly Steve Castle in October after just 13 wins from 54 games and then Stuart Cash, who quit after just two games in charge due to personal reasons.

St Albans at that point were rooted to the bottom of the table and looked like certainties for the drop.

But since then former Woking manager Colin Lippiatt has come in and after a difficult start, his side has climbed just clear of the relegation zone, so County have got an extremely tough game on their hands this afternoon.

There are several similarities between the sides' results also, with both teams drawing 1-1 at Hornchurch and both winning away at Dorchester.

The Saints have looked a different proposition in recent weeks and even managed to take all six points from their festive period double-header against Cambridge City, defeating a side that sit second in the table 2-0 away and 1-0 at home.

They also have the services of the third most prolific marksman in the division, with Lee Clarke grabbing an impressive 14 goals so far.

County's top scorer Jamie Moralee has hit eight.

"We have had them watched and they have had some decent results recently," said County manager John Cornforth (pictured).

"They got a boost from the new manager coming in but the reports we get are only a guide.

"We have to focus on what we have to do."