NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn hailed Joe Day as the best goalkeeper in League Two after the Exiles stopper again made the difference at Grimsby Town.

County led 1-0 through Robbie Willmott’s first-half opener but the hosts would have been level on 55 minutes but for a stunning fingertip save from Day to deny Mariners striker Scott Vernon.

And within 30 seconds it was 2-0 as Day caught the corner and started a quick breakaway that ended with Frank Nouble’s deflected goal.

Grimsby pulled one back through substitute Jamille Matt, who was then shown a straight red card after appearing to catch Mickey Demetriou with an elbow, but the visitors held on to claim a vital victory.

Flynn was delighted with his whole squad afterwards but he reserved special praise for his number one.

“I have got a great bunch,” said the boss. “I have got a great group and, like I told them before the game, it’s a joy for me to be their manager.

“They always keep me on my toes and they are a pain sometimes – they’re like kids – but they give me everything they’ve got day in and day out and I can’t ask for much more than that.

“It was an outstanding save from Joe Day. That’s what he’s there for and that’s why he’s the best goalkeeper in the league. He’s outstanding.”

Striker Padraig Amond, who enjoyed another excellent afternoon against his former club, is also a huge fan of Day.

“Joe is unbelievable,” said Amond. “I don’t want to say too much about him because I don’t want to give him too big a head and I don’t want to alert anyone to him.

“But he’s a fantastic keeper and he’s saved us so many times this year.

“When he does that you know you’re always going to get a chance up front and it’s up to us to put the ball away.”

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Flynn revealed after the match that he had been forced to withdraw Willmott, captain Joss Labadie and fellow midfielder Matty Dolan (above) with tight hamstrings in the second half.

That meant a debut for new loan signing Tyler Reid but fellow new arrivals Aaron Collins and Josh Sheehan were unused substitutes.

“I said to Aaron that if it had stayed 2-0 I would have put him on just to get some minutes into his legs,” said Flynn.

“But there’s a [reserve] game on Tuesday and it’s a chance to get some fitness into the ones who’ve just come in.”

Defender Mark O’Brien made the trip to Blundell Park but was not included in the matchday squad.

“He picked up a little knock in training,” explained the manager. “He got kicked by his housemate Mickey [Demetriou] and his knee swelled up so it was a precaution.”

The win lifted County to 10th in the League Two table ahead of Friday’s home clash with Crawley Town.