NEWPORT County AFC will be targeting another “statement result” when they host League Two leaders Exeter City to Rodney Parade tomorrow.

Plymouth Argyle and Crewe Alexandra both came to Newport as table-toppers last month and both went home empty-handed as Michael Flynn’s men earned 1-0 wins.

Both were the Pilgrims and the Railwaymen were knocked off their perch at the summit as a result of those defeats.

Exeter are likely to avoid a similar fate this weekend as they are three points clear of Crewe and hold a significant advantage on goal difference.

But Padraig Amond, who scored the late winner against Crewe on August 24, says County will be aiming to bring the Grecians down a peg or two and further burnish their own promotion credentials.

Amond told iFollowExiles: “We want another statement result.

“Exeter are a really good side; they recruited well over the summer and got a very good manager there as well.

“But, look, we’re a really good side. We recruited well over the summer and we’ve got a good young manager.

“We’re two very evenly matched teams and it’s up to us to put in a performance.

“It doesn’t matter who is top of the table, anyone can beat anyone in League Two and that’s been proven throughout the years – there’s always shocks every weekend.

“We don’t take any notice of that, it’s just another to tick off as a scalp if we can win the game.”

Amond is also hoping for a big crowd after it was confirmed on Tuesday that manager Michael Flynn is staying with the Exiles after talks with League One Lincoln City.

“We’re hoping to get as many people there as possible and use the gaffer staying to get a few more in as well,” said the top scorer.

“Hopefully the crowd will make a big difference on the weekend.”

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Amond scored his fifth goal of the season in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Macclesfield Town and he hopes that was the start of another long unbeaten run following last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Northampton Town.

“A point is important after Saturday because it was important that we bounced back quickly with something,” said the striker.

“It was a good, solid performance and we needed to bounce back because Saturday was a really disappointing performance.

“You never know how long an unbeaten run is going to go on for, the aim is to go for as long as you can but unfortunately, it sometimes comes to an end like it did Saturday.

“The plan is now to see how long we can go on another unbeaten run now, but as clichéd as it sounds, we’re taking it as the next game. That is Exeter, who are top of the league.

“Hopefully we can get a win which will propel us back up the table.”

After scoring 23 times in all competitions last season, Amond is pleased to be back on the goal-trail once again.

“It’s obviously pleasing to score, but you want to win the game,” he said.

“The goal is more important that it’s contributing to the team [as opposed to it being the fifth of the campaign].

“I’ve hit the first little milestone now and it’s onto the next one now to see how many I can get for the season.”

Read more: Padraig Amond thrilled that Michael Flynn is staying at Newport County