HOW was the Easter break for you? A relaxing long weekend with friends and family enjoying sweet treats and communing with nature or a hideously stressful four days that started on a massive high and left you in the pits of despair?

Chocolate and theme park rides don’t usually mix but Newport County AFC fans can be forgiven for hitting the Easter eggs hard before, during and after what was a real rollercoaster of emotions.

Good Friday saw Michael Flynn’s men edge past Yeovil Town at Rodney Parade with a third successive 1-0 win ensuring they moved to within one point of relegation rivals Hartlepool United at the bottom of League Two.

But hopes of a triumphant march to safety were comprehensively dismissed and dismantled (much like the County defence) at Plymouth Argyle on Monday afternoon.

Such is the unpredictability and sheer madness of this time of the season, however, that the Exiles actually find themselves in a far better position than they would have expected to be following Monday’s matches.

Despite a crushing 6-1 defeat at Home Park they are still just one point from safety thanks to Hartlepool’s shock reverse at doomed Leyton Orient.

The margin of the loss was a disappointment but most fans would have expected nothing from a tough trip to Plymouth, who have been a thorn in County’s side throughout the season and were intent on sealing their place in League One.

And most would have been fearing a win for Pools at Brisbane Road that would have left Flynn’s team four points adrift with just three games to go and nailed on for the drop.

It looked ominous as Rhys Oates fired Dave Jones’ men ahead but goals from teenage duo Victor Adeboyejo and Tristan Abrahams kept Orient’s slim hopes of survival just about alive and handed County a major boost.

Losing to the O’s is arguably worse than being hit for six by a supremely talented Plymouth team and it’s a result that will be every bit as damaging to the confidence of the players involved.

It’s a big let off for County as we enter the final three games in what now looks like a two-horse race to get over that dotted line.

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So, with the caveat of the aforementioned unpredictability, what can we expect between now and the season finale on Saturday, May 6?

County certainly do not have it easy this Saturday as they welcome in-form Accrington Stanley to Rodney Parade.

John Coleman, who deservedly won the League Two manager of the month award for March, has guided his side from 21st to 11th thanks to an unbeaten run that now stretches to 15 matches.

And the fact that they are just two points off a play-off place means the visitors will certainly not be taking this weekend lightly.

County have beaten Accrington already this season and successive 1-0 wins on Parade show they are starting to get to grips with the playing surface.

And, backed by another bumper crowd, they should be confident of getting something from the game.

Stanley have not lost since February 11 but they have drawn six out of 15 so a point apiece is perhaps the most likely outcome.

That would be a decent result for County as long as Hartlepool don’t manage a home win against mid-table Barnet, who have little to play for.

April 29 sees the Exiles make the long trip to Carlisle United, while Hartlepool are away at fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town.

Cheltenham now look out of reach as far as County are concerned, having moved five points clear of the drop zone with a win over Grimsby Town on Monday.

They have shown real fight in recent weeks and should beat Pools to cement their League Two status.

Carlisle are still fighting for a play-off spot but they look beatable having won only once in their last 11 games.

County have already got the better of Keith Curle’s men this season and have won all five meetings between the sides over the past three seasons.

This is a real opportunity to pick up three points that would put them in a great position going into the final day.

All matches kick-off at 5.30pm on May 6 as the Exiles host Notts County and Hartlepool entertain champions-elect Doncaster Rovers.

Providing Darren Ferguson and his players do not have their minds on the beach they should surely have too much for their hosts.

And, despite Notts’ revival under Kevin Nolan, the Exiles should be capable of getting the point or points they need in front of their home fans to seal survival.

It will undoubtedly be a tense few weeks for the amber army but they shouldn’t give up hope yet.

Hartlepool could pick up three points on Saturday but that might well be their lot for the season.

That would take them to 46 points and, taking into account the Exiles’ now inferior goal difference, it would set a total of 47 as the survival target.

A return of five points from the final three games to stay up will be no simple task but it’s a scenario that any County fan would have taken six weeks ago.

And it’s definitely doable.