AS THE players and fans collectively celebrated Saturday’s victory over Crewe, David Pipe patted me on the head so hard my head was still sore on the train home!

I can’t remember a better headache.

Of course, this was a team overflowing with passion, fight and then delight, and as the Newport County players rushed into the away section I just got caught up in the moment.

We all know David Pipe doesn’t do anything lightly!

After the defeat to Leyton Orient, County desperately needed to show some fight and spirit if they were going to have any chance of beating the drop.

And what started as a bleak day in Crewe turned into a bright new beginning as Michael Flynn’s Exiles took all three points away from Gresty Road thanks to a last-minute winner – something that has been done to us all too many times.

Just as important as the victory was getting the fans believing again.

A home crowd’s support is pivotal, and if we want to stay up we have to keep behind the players.

Everyone in the away section felt belief and hope, even if there is still a monstrous gap to overcome.

Even a neutral would’ve booed after the shambolic defeat to Orient but now it’s time to put that behind us and really go for this.

For the first time in what felt an age, there felt a very special connection between the players and fans of the club.

The players came right into the stands, shaking hands and even hugging the 198 travelling supporters.

County played well in the second half, with Tom Owen-Evans having his best game in a Newport shirt, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb making a big impact from the bench, and some excellent creativity from the midfield and wings.

Flynn may not have much managerial experience, but he knows this club and players excellently, and he’s installed some hunger into this team that I don’t think we’ve seen before.

At this point in the season, County need someone who is getting the very best out of his players and Flynn did exactly that on Saturday.