NEWPORT County AFC new boy Ade Azeez insists that the players all believe they can make the League Two play-offs this season.

Azeez, a deadline day signing from Cambridge United, scored on his home debut on Saturday as County beat promotion rivals Carlisle United 2-0 at Rodney Parade.

The win lifted the Exiles to 12th in the table with 12 games still to play and they are now only five points below seventh-placed Forest Green Rovers with a game in hand.

“The table looks a lot more healthy now,” said Azeez. “We know we can make the play-offs and it’s nice to see us further up the league.

“If we go on a run now, we know that anything can happen in this league. Everyone has got that belief that we can go on a run and I think we showed that character and belief on the pitch.”

Azeez scored his first professional goal at Rodney Parade when playing for Torquay United back in 2013.

He spoke before Saturday’s match about his admiration for the fans in Newport and he was delighted to get off the mark in first home game for the club.

“I like scoring here and the fans were excellent from start to finish,” he said. “They got behind the team and I felt a lot of love from them early on. They were our 12th man.

“I’m buzzing to get off the mark and about the result.

“I’ve had a few clubs, mainly on loan, but I’ve signed a long-term deal here now and I’m happy that I’ve started to repay the faith that the gaffer has shown in me.

“There were one or two other offers but when I heard that Newport were interested and, when I spoke to the gaffer, I was happy to come here.

“I’ve had to bide my time with the hamstring injury,” he added. “I’ve been working hard with the physio and the medical staff and I was really happy to play a large part in the game.”

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Azeez opened the scoring against Carlisle when he helped Padraig Amond’s header across the line on 14 minutes and the Irishman completed the victory with a close-range finish midway through the second half.

“Podge [Amond] has been brilliant,” said the 25-year-old. “He’s buzzing for me and he said he would have done exactly the same thing. It was just instinct for me to poke my leg out.

“Podge and Jamma [Jamille Matt] are two great strikers but I think we can all play together,” he added. “I thought we linked up well at times and caused Carlisle lots of problems.

“If the gaffer goes with two up front, or three, or one, we’ll always push each other.

“And with the service that this team provides, you are going to score goals here.”

Read more: County turn the corner to get play-off push back on track

Read more: Exiles boss praises Azeez and Matt after victory