CARETAKER manager Michael Flynn admits Newport County AFC are desperate for a home win after leaving Portsmouth with nothing to show for another battling performance on the road.

County almost earned a point at Fratton Park after Alex Samuel’s goal set up a tense finale but the hosts held on to win 2-1.

And, with tough trips to Pompey’s fellow promotion hopefuls Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle and Carlisle United to come, Flynn knows the best chance of his side picking up the points they need to survive is at home.

The Exiles, six points from safety with seven games to play, host Crawley Town, Yeovil Town, Accrington Stanley and Notts County at Rodney Parade between this Saturday and May 6.

The quarter are all in the bottom 10 in the League Two table but safe from relegation.

“We’ve got a massive game against Crawley now,” said Flynn.

“We’ve got to start winning at home because we’ve got difficult away games left at Plymouth, Exeter and Carlisle.

“They’re all teams chasing promotion so we’ve got a big ask away from home.”

Flynn, who will have Mitch Rose and Mark O’Brien back from suspension for the Crawley game, was happy with the impact made by substitutes Mark Randall, Marlon Jackson and Jennison Myrie-Williams against Portsmouth.

“Mark is a fantastic footballer,” said the Exiles boss. “If we can get his head right then I think we’re going to make the club a little bit of money but he’s got to knuckle down.

“You’ve got to be able to do the dirty side of the game as well.

“He’s technically one of the best footballers in the league.

“He’s played in the Champions League for Arsenal but that was a long time ago.

“I just want to get a smile on his face and enjoying his football again.

“I said it was a clean slate for everyone and he came on and did well.

“There were one or two things he did – like back heel it on the edge of the box – where I wanted to strangle him but then he goes and gets on the ball and puts it over for Marlon and we should have scored.

“I think Marlon’s been very good,” he added. “He’s trained well – not just since I’ve been here but for a while now. And he’s been playing well in the reserve games.

“I felt sorry for him a little bit when he got booed against Leyton Orient – I thought he was the best striker that day.

“But he’s kept his chin up, he’s kept going and he’s showing that he wants to be part of it.

“Jennison really positive when he came on as well and that gives me more selection problems for next week.

“It’s good because I want the strongest team possible to choose from because this is what we’re going to need to fight to stay up.”