FORMER Newport County AFC boss Justin Edinburgh has described the play-off final victory over Wrexham as the best day of his management career.

The Exiles beat Wrexham 2-0 at Wembley to clinch promotion to the Football League in May 2013.

Edinburgh has managed both Gillingham and Northampton Town in League One since leaving County in 2015 and he's currently in charge of National League leaders Leyton Orient.

But nothing has so far topped that special day five years ago Newport won the battle of the Welsh clubs.

“If you can hand-pick a way to win promotion it would be to go to the play-off final at Wembley and win it,” Edinburgh told the Wrexham Leader.

“Those celebrations afterwards - players, family, friends - they last with you forever and it was a fantastic day.

“That is the best without a doubt.”

It was a game of few chances but Christian Jolley, who joined County from AFC Wimbledon on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee after a successful loan spell, opened the scoring in the 86th minute and Aaron O’Connor completed victory in added time.

Edinburgh always felt he had a potential match-winner in Jolley and likened the striker to Macauley Bonne, who helped his Orient win 2-0 against Wrexham in last Saturday’s top of the table clash at The Racecourse.

“We didn’t play particularly well in the final,” said Edinburgh. “It was a scrappy game and Wrexham had one or two half chances, our goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley had to make a couple of smart stops.

“But I always believed when we had Christian Jolley in the form he was that we just needed one chance.

“Pretty similar to Saturday, we had Macauley Bonne, it drops in the box and we know that they are clinical, and Christian certainly was on the day.”

South Wales Argus:

Orient ended Wrexham’s 11 game unbeaten run but although the Exiles are going well in League Two, Edinburgh believes Michael Flynn’s side won’t have any easy ride at The Racecourse tonight.

“It was an incredible day,” said Edinburgh. “It just shows you how difficult it is to get out of this league, Wrexham are still here.

“Thankfully Newport have maintained their league status and have got a very good manager in charge now who is doing an excellent job.

“But anyone who comes to Wrexham will know they are going to be in for a tough game.”

Edinburgh is relishing the promotion challenge and insists Orient will not take their foot off the gas in the push for the title.

“There is always pressure, it makes games huge,” added the former Tottenham Hotspur defender.

“That group in the dressing room won’t allow any complacency, they are driven and are incredible professionals who have broken a record for the club for staying unbeaten away from home. They have deserved that.”