JIMMY DACK has conceded the Exiles’ promotion bid is probably over after their 3-2 home defeat to Dagenham.

Late goals from David Tutonda and Aaron O’Connor weren’t enough after a strong display from the visitors saw them score three goals in ten minutes after holding Newport for a long stretch.

“It is easy to score two goals when the pressure is off, which is what we did, but while we don’t lack for effort, the quality isn’t there in either penalty box,” Dack said.

“We lack in both boxes, the players do try, but it’s no good doing it when the pressure is off.

“The future is rosy with the young players, they are the way forward, but we are now looking at finishing strongly. Are we a play-off side, it’s evident in the last four games we’ve let that slip. It is what it is.”

Dack is now ready to blood more County youngsters, with Kyle Patten, Aaron Collins, Tom Owen-Evans and Joe Parker all in contention to join Regan Poole in the starting XI to face York and Oxford.

“We’ve bettered last season’s point total, but we don’t look a play-off side,” he said.

“We haven’t been taking chances and that’s been the story of the last four games, in the last couple of weeks we’ve looked a bit nervous.

“I think the younger boys will be involved now and the County fans have to get used to that.

“I am going to blood them in to help them progress for next year and that is how the club is going to go. They aren’t bad players. Young Regan Poole was magnificent today; he’ll have an unbelievable career in the game.

“Our fans need to show these young boys patience; they’ve got good careers ahead of them.”