NEWPORT County can ease their supporters' concerns a week before the end of the season at Cambridge City today by securing a win that will all but guarantee Conference South safety.

Manager Peter Beadle has presided over a renaissance of mammoth proportions in the past six weeks, seeing his side unbeaten in seven of their last eight fixtures.

With Hayes now six points adrift of County with three games remaining, anything less than a win for them at Basingstoke today would see County safe, if they earn three points at the City Ground (kick-off 3pm).

County have been entrenched in the relegation battle since as far back as November, but it could be a case of finding the light at the end of the Brynglas tunnel if they take the spoils today.

It would mean next week's clash with Thurrock would see them needing a point at most to be safe, accounting for Hayes potentially collecting maximum points between now and next Saturday.

But Hayes' form is poor at best, they are losing game after game in the Conference South and even failed to win the Middlesex Cup this week against Hampton and Richmond, losing on penalties with a fairly strong side out.

Today's opponents for County, Cambridge City, have also hit the skids in the league.

The financial strugglers haven't won in their last six, have all but lost any lingering hopes of clinching a playoff spot (they have a very tough run-in) and were beaten last time out, 2-0 by strugglers Yeading at the City Ground.

It all gives a boost to County and defender Paul Cochlin, who scored in last week's 3-2 win at Histon and got the winner in the vital 1-0 win over Hayes on April 5, is confident the team can secure their survival today.

"We no longer go to any ground in the league giving so much as a second thought to who we are playing which is totally different to when I joined the club," he said.

"When I joined we'd go somewhere, look at the table, see our opponents in the top half and feel we were in for a tough time.

"But things are completely different now. We are one of the top few sides in the Conference South, we just didn't have the belief before.

"But everyone is confident in what we are doing now, we have got a great record away from home recently and we feel we can win today, definitely."

Cochlin admitted the defeat at Weymouth on March 4 (4-0) which sent County bottom of the table was the turning point in the season, along with the signings of assistant manager Scott Young and experienced defender John Brough.

"Working with Youngy has developed me as a player and made me more aware and confident playing at left-back and Broughy is simply awesome. He organises and inspires the other defenders and we are working really well as a unit.

"Cambridge will be a tough game, but we can win it and send our supporters home happy and no longer worrying about going down, that is our aim."