NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh has dismissed the idea that Grimsby Town have earned a psychological advantage for the play-offs with victory on Saturday.

A weakened County side were crushed 3-0 at Blundell Park just four days before Wednesday’s semi-final between the same sides at the same venue.

First half goals from Jamie Devitt, Andi Thanoj and Liam Hearn saw the Mariners cruise to victory against an Exiles side showing five changes from last week’s 2-2 draw at Luton Town.

But Edinburgh insists that the result will have no bearing on the play-offs showdown with the likes of Aaron O’Connor, Chris-tian Jolley, Lee Minshull, David Pipe and Andy Sandell all set to return to the side after being rested on Saturday.

“The result was irrelevant today really,” said the Exiles boss. “I was disappointed by some of our performances but, as a former player myself, I know that we had one eye on Wednesday.

“It was a flat performance. It helped them being at home in front of their own fans for the last day of the season but we’ll concentrate on Wednesday.

“They might think they’ve got the psychological advantage but it will be a totally different game on Wednesday. We know what we’re about and we know we’ve got a lot more to show.

“Nothing about our performance will have a bearing on that game. There will be so much more at stake on Wednes-day.

“I rested quite a few players,” he added. “We were cautious to make sure we had a full squad to pick from on Wednesday and we’ve come through it unscathed, so that’s the plus.”

Despite the abject manner of the defeat Edinburgh says it will not change his thinking ahead of the first leg or the return clash at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

“I don’t think either team has taken too much from the game,” he said. “I know a high percentage of the team I’ll pick. There are maybe one or two decisions that have to be made but I’ve got a good idea of what we’ll have.

“This game won’t alter my thinking. It’s done now. We want to win every game and it wasn’t a good performance but nothing I saw will have a bearing on decisions for Wednesday.”

Edinburgh took Rushden & Diamonds to the play-offs in 2009 only to lose to eventual winners Oxford United over two legs and he will use that experience. “I can only make sure the players don’t get caught up in the occasion because there are no second chances,” he said.

“We’ve been really consistent all season and I’ll just tell my players to cap it off. Where we are compared to last year shows we’ve made huge strides and there’s more to come.

“We are absolutely delighted with the season so far but this is what we’ve worked for and it comes down to two games and hopefully three now.”