THE Great Escape was never going to be achieved without setbacks and, almost inevitably, Newport County AFC’s fight against relegation will go down to wire.

Colin Addison’s men secured their safety on the final day of the 1976-1977 season and, four decades on, Michael Flynn’s team are still on course to match their legendary predecessors.

Eddie Woods was the match-winner against Workington all those years ago and for a short while on Saturday it looked as if Mickey Demetriou would join him in the record books after he gave County the lead against Workington’s Cumbrian neighbours Carlisle United.

Soon after the defender headed the Exiles in front at Brunton Park news filtered through from Whaddon Road that Cheltenham Town had taken the lead against Hartlepool United.

The 306 fans who made the long trip up the M6 celebrated wildly and it was shaping up to be one of those ‘I was there’ days for each and every one of them.

With Sean Rigg at his creative best, Alex Samuel not giving the home defence a moment’s rest and Joe Day in imperious form when called upon, County found themselves 45 minutes from safety.

What followed, after injuries had forced off Samuel and Mark Randall either side of the interval, was a second half that reminded everyone how real the threat of relegation remains.

Flynn replaced Randall with Scot Bennett in an attempt to stiffen up the midfield and keep Carlisle at bay.

But the constant pressure from the hosts proved too much.

Jabo Ibehre pounced on a half-cleared corner to slam in an equalizer on 59 minutes.

And before the Exiles had recovered their composure they were behind as Nicky Adams found the bottom corner of the net with a sublime strike from 25 yards.

Day had no chance with either goal but he kept his side in the game in the closing stages with save after save.

He’ll need to be on top form again when Notts County come to Rodney Parade for the final match of the season next Saturday.

But if Samuel is ruled out, as seems likely, the problem could come at the other end of the pitch.

The Swansea City youngster has scored just twice in 18 appearance since his arrival on loan from the Liberty Stadium in January.

He is, however, a constant menace for opposition defenders and his determination and willingness to chase lost causes creates countless opportunities for himself and others.

Samuel won the free-kick that led to Demetriou’s goal on Saturday and he went close to doubling the lead soon afterwards.

When he was stretchered off County did not carry the same threat and if he’s missing for the final game there is no obvious like-for-like replacement.

Flynn may be forced into a tactical rethink in attack but his options are at least boosted by the unexpected return to fitness of Lenell John-Lewis.

What a story it would be if the striker, who has missed the whole season with a serious knee injury, was the hero against Notts County.

With Hartlepool still two points adrift in 23rd and up against title-chasing Doncaster Rovers next week, the Exiles may not even need another point to survive.

Ultimately it doesn’t matter how they get over the line, as long as they get over the line.

But Flynn will want his side to beat the drop thanks to their own efforts and after a remarkable run it would be fitting if they can secure survival with a win in front of a packed home crowd.

There were 8,313 at Somerton Park to see the first Great Escape completed in May 1977 and this team deserves a similar level of support to cheer them over that line.

County: Day; Pipe, O’Brien, Demetriou, Butler; Rigg, Labadie, Randall (Bennett, 46), Owen-Evans; Samuel (Williams, 45), Bird (John-Lewis, 73)

Subs not used: Bittner, Barnum-Bobb, Nelson, Myrie-Williams

Referee: David Webb

Attendance: 5,402 (306 County)