NEWPORT County AFC midfielder Adam Chapman believes the Exiles have the ‘bottle’ to get over the line and clinch a League Two play-off place.

County are down to seventh in the table, just a point above Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town and Exeter City, after Monday’s 2-0 defeat at Exeter.

But Chapman, who returned to the starting XI at St James Park, insists that their confidence has not been dented.

And he is certain that they can bounce back at home to fourth-placed Bury on Saturday and at fifth-placed Southend United next Tuesday.

“They are two massive games against teams that are above us,” said Chapman.

“And we seem to be doing better against the better teams, or the teams that are above us in the league.

“They’re massive now but these are the type of games you want to be playing in.

“I’d much rather play in these games that for a team that is 14th and not playing for anything or fighting relegation.

“You’ve just got to enjoy the pressure,” added the 25-year-old.

“It’s about bottle at the end of the season. It is concentration and having the bottle to make the right decision and put one in the back of the net.”

County failed to take their chances at Exeter and were punished as they conceded two late goals to end their five-match unbeaten run.

But with five games to go Chapman says the belief is strong in the squad that they can clinch a top-seven finish.

“Looking round in that changing room I don’t see a group of boys whose confidence is shot,” he said.

“I see a load of boys who work really hard for each other but have just not taken the chances.

“We’ve got big personalities and as long as we keep the morale up, we’ve still got five games to go – that’s 15 points, we’ll not be panicking.”

And Chapman is hoping to play a big part in the run-in after making his first start since March 13.

“It’s been frustrating, I don’t like it but I have to accept it,” he said of his time on the bench in recent weeks.

“I’m not a baby and I’m not going to spit my dummy out but I don’t like it and I’m not going to lie about it.

“I was happy with my performance [at Exeter],” he added. “I think we passed it a little bit more than we have done in previous games, which is what I like to think I bring to the table.”