STRIKER Jamille Matt believes Newport County AFC have not got enough credit for the quality of their play this season.

County’s team spirit and resilience have been lauded as they put together a 12-match unbeaten run to make Saturday’s League Two play-off final against Tranmere Rovers.

But Rovers are the bookmakers’ favourites to seal promotion at Wembley, with the Exiles cast as the underdogs once again.

And Matt believes their performances over the last few months merit a little more respect.

“It would be the perfect ending to the season to achieve promotion via the play-offs,” said the 20-goal front man.

“We’ve got a great bunch of players in our dressing room with great quality and sometimes we don’t get the credit for that.

“We don’t like to think of ourselves defying the odds, but if people want to make us underdogs that’s fine by us – we like proving people wrong.”

Matt does admit, however, that the spirit within the camp has been a major factor in their success.

“We’re a tight-knit group, everyone gets along very well and the team spirit is very good – probably the best I’ve been involved in,” he told TalkSport.

“Every day in training there are jokes flying and everyone sticks together, and we do stuff together off the pitch as well.

“I think that shows the type of group we’ve got and I think that’s what is behind the run we’ve been on.”

Matt was also full of praise for manager Michael Flynn.

“He comes in each morning full of energy and he keeps us all on our toes,” he added.

“He’s been fantastic for me and for a lot of players this season and the job he’s done for Newport has been unbelievable.

“Him and Wayne Hatswell have done a fantastic job this season and before I came to the club.”

South Wales Argus:

Matt and strike partner Padraig Amond have scored 43 goals between them this season and they are set to lead the line at Wembley.

Asked about the partnership, he said: “There’s a mutual respect between us.

“There are no egos there. We get on quite well off the pitch – we’re always joking about which one of us is the old man of the squad.

“Podge is a pleasure to work with every day. We do bounce off each other well and it’s worked better and better throughout the season.”

Amond was one of the penalty takers in the shootout win over Mansfield Town in the play-off semi-final.

Matt did not have to take one on that occasion, but he’s prepared to step up to the plate if it comes to it on Saturday.

“It was nerve-wracking but we did practice penalties and the boys didn’t give their keeper much of a chance [at Mansfield],” said the 29-year-old.

“When Matty Dolan stepped up for the last penalty, we were confident that he’s stick it away with the quality that he’s got.

“I’m not too sure what number I was on the list. I was pretty tired at the end but I put myself forward to take one. Thankfully the boys did the job.”