NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn is keeping his feet firmly on the ground, despite seeing his side climb back into the automatic promotion places with a 2-1 win over Scunthorpe United at Rodney Parade.

County are back up to third in the League Two table, just three points behind leaders Crewe Alexandra with a game in hand after last week’s trip to Cheltenham Town was postponed.

Padraig Amond’s opener in first-half stoppage time was cancelled out by an unfortunate Mark O’Brien own goal after the break, but Josh Sheehan sealed the victory with a sublime finish from 20 yards.

“I’m delighted to get the three points but our position doesn’t mean anything at this stage of the season,” said Flynn.

“It just means we started well. It’s nice to be there but we have a long way to go.”

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Sheehan’s goal was his first since last November and the midfielder earned praise from his manager.

“It was a great finish,” said Flynn. “I’m always onto him because he doesn’t hit the target enough. A player of his technical ability should be hitting it more often, so I’m delighted for him.

“He’s been outstanding this season, head and shoulders above most players in the league.

“You haven’t always got to hit the stuffing out of it, it was a good, technical finish and he should be doing it more.”

On Amond’s close-range header, the Exiles boss said: “Padraig finishes those goals well, he was lucky because I was going to take him off at half-time!

“I told the staff I was going to take him off, but he got in the right place at the right time and took it instinctively.

“He does so much for the team off the ball and he has great positional sense, he’s a big player for us.”

Read more: Newport County 2 Scunthorpe United 1 - match report