RUSHDEN and Diamonds boss Justin Edinburgh is certain Newport County are still in contention for a place in the playoffs, despite being winless in 2011.

The former Tottenham defender, now in his fourth managerial position, saw his side further dent the Exiles by knocking them out of the Conference top five with a 3-1 win on Saturday, but has no doubt they’ll be in contention come the season’s end.

“They aren’t the same side as the ones who won at our place earlier this season, but they will be fine, you go through dips in the season and they’ll be back, I am sure,” he said.

“They are a strong bunch, there is no doubt they have enough experience and togetherness to come through this.

“The manager (meaning former boss Dean Holdsworth) did a fantastic job, but the players will know they still have a great chance to get their club promoted into the Football League and I don’t think there is any bigger incentive than that.

“They are a good group of players, I think what the fans need to do is revisit where they were a couple of years ago.

“They’ll stick with the team, they were magnificent on Saturday for their team and I have no doubt they’ll get over this dip of form in the short term.

“I have no doubt that they’ll still challenge for the playoffs, they have good experience, good creativity and they have goals in their team as Reid and Matthews are quality players and they are still well in it.

“The results keep showing no-one is guaranteed the title or a place in the playoffs and Newport County have as good a chance as anyone.”

Edinburgh admitted he felt his side deserved to take the spoils, though, despite praising Newport.

“I thought we were the better side overall, a lot of people will say it was a good time to come and play Newport, given the manager change and their poor recent form, but we earned the right, I thought we played very well.”