Newport's Padraig Amond ready for last-day drama at Southend

The Irishman was leading the line when Hartlepool recorded a 2-1 win over Doncaster that looked set to save their bacon in 2017, only for Mark O'Brien to strike at Rodney Parade.

Amond moved to Newport the following August and in his second season in amber helped County to sneak into the play-offs with a late charge, sealing a top-seven finish courtesy of Jamille Matt's late leveller at Morecambe.

It's another nervy last day for Michael Flynn's side, who head to Roots Hall needing a point to guarantee a place in the play-offs.

All Exiles would love a routine afternoon in Southend but history tells Amond that it's unlikely to be stress-free.

"A relaxed finish would be the ideal scenario but we all know what tends to happen in these games," said the 33-year-old, who is likely to start up front with 19-year-old Lewis Collins.

"They always go to the wire and there are always twists and turns on the last day of the season, and we've be involved in plenty of them and know how draining it can be.

MAGIC: Mark O'Brien's goal saved County in 2017, but led to despair for Padraig Amond and Hartlepool

"But we are really excited and it's a lot better being involved in this than what I was involved in four years ago and Newport were involved in. It's a lot more fun than that."

County, Tranmere and Forest Green Rovers all have control of their destiny while Exeter and Salford need a helping hand, with the Ammies unable to catch the Exiles.

The scenario is simple for Newport, who hope that they won't be having to look out for other results as the game progresses in Essex.

"All week you hear people putting out the permutations but it's up to us. Do our job and we are in the play-offs, simple as that," said Amond, who tasted Wembley play-off glory when helping Grimsby back to the Football League in 2016.

"We don't have to worry about anyone else and at the start of the season everybody would have taken this, even if it's a little bit disappointing considering the position we were in the middle of the season.

"Two years ago we went up to Morecambe knowing that we needed to win but you are listening out for results when you are losing, then drawing.

"We know that if we do our job then it's done and dusted, then we can come in after the game and find out what has happened elsewhere.

ENERGY: Padraig Amond of Newport County is tackled by Sean Long of Cheltenham Town.

"The end goal is promotion but all we are focused on is Southend, because they are dangerous opposition who beat us earlier this season and have no pressure after they were relegated.

"I've seen it happen before when teams can play with freedom, all of a sudden they can play like Brazil."

It has been a draining season but County have prepared well for Southend after producing the goods against leaders Cheltenham last week.

The Exiles weren't in midweek action for the first time in a month, allowing Amond to draw inspiration from old Rodney Parade foes Manchester City.

"I was saying to my wife that it was the first time that I have been able to sit down and watch a Champions League game on a Tuesday night for a while," he said.

"It's been Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday but we've have a full week in training and it's been a good build-up.

"We are all excited and hopefully we will put in a strong performance to get the job done."