DEFENDER Mark O’Brien believes Newport County AFC can challenge for the League Two play-off places this season, writes Andrew Penman.

O’Brien says impressive performances in behind-closed-doors friendlies against Championship clubs Bristol City and Swansea City show the progress that County have made.

The Exiles drew 2-2 at Bristol City last week and lost 1-0 to a strong Swansea side on Wednesday.

Speaking after the Swansea match, O’Brien said: “I felt it was a great test for us as a team to play against the experience that they had out and they have a new manager in so they took it just as seriously as we did.

“We always knew it was going to be tough. It’s still pre-season and we’re still trying to get our fitness in and there’s no better way to do it than to play against experienced players like that.

“We held our own and we wanted to win the game but to do what we’ve done and play the football that we did at certain points in the game is a positive.

“It’s tougher mentally when you’re playing against top players because they have that sharper movement but we held our own and did the club proud.”

Asked about targets for the season, O’Brien said: “After last season we’re pushing more towards the play-offs, if not automatic promotion, so to come up against sides like this and to test ourselves is only going to benefit us.

“Every test that we’ve had we’ve risen to it and hopefully we can carry that into the season – that’s what we’re looking to do.

“We’d love to win automatic promotion but if you want to be realistic about it we want to improve on last season.

“We were there or thereabouts for the play-offs last year so if we can make the play-offs this year it’s going to be a successful season.

“If we can push for automatic then brilliant but I think the least we’re going to settle for is the play-offs.”