NEWPORT County AFC manager Jimmy Dack has urged his players to do everything they can to clinch a League Two play-off place, even if that means embracing football’s dark arts.

County will be without key defender Ismail Yakubu for tomorrow’s clash with promotion rivals Bury at Rodney Parade following his red card in the defeat at Exeter City on Monday.

Dack feels that the sending off was a result of ‘clever play’ from Grecians man David Wheeler who tumbled in the box after minimal contact with Yakubu.

And the Exiles boss says his side have to be more streetwise if they are to seal a top-seven finish.

“The boy Wheeler did well because he got past Yaks, stopped and looked for the penalty,” said Dack.

“It’s about game management and I always say that to the players.

“We’ve got to know how and when to affect the game and the better players have got that.

“That’s why they go on to play at a higher level. It’s not always the about your ability, a lot of it is to do with game-management, your attitude and having that little bit extra to get you over the line.”

Dack, who is hoping to have Ryan Jackson back from a hamstring strain this weekend, says his players must enjoy the pressure of a promotion push.

But he conceded that they are the outsiders in the five-way fight for two play-off spots in only their second season back in the Football League.

“You’re better off being in a promotion push than in a relegation battle, or with nothing to play for,” he said.

“It’s an exciting time and we should all embrace it and look forward to it and see where it takes us.

“Bury are a top side. Most managers would love their players in their squad,” he added.

“We’re not one of the biggest clubs in this shake-up but we’re hopefully there to spoil the party.

“I’m reading that they’ve got the old Manchester City training ground at Carrington, which just shows you the difference in class.

“We train at a school with school kids running around and they’re training at Manchester City’s old training ground.

“It just shows you how well as a club we’ve done and how far we’ve come.

“We’re the underdogs but we’re not going to lie down and die. We’re going to roll our sleeves up and have a good go.

“We’re punching above our weight. As a club in the four years since I’ve been here we’ve had a promotion and been to Wembley twice.

“It’s been an unbelievable achievement and in our second season in the League we’re pushing for the play-offs again.

“For a club of our size it would be a massive achievement to make the play-offs and we’re going to keep fighting.”