MICHAEL Flynn says survival is not mission impossible for Newport County AFC after they fought back from a goal down to beat fellow strugglers Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.

Callum Cooke put the hosts ahead in the 22nd minute but County defender Dan Butler volleyed in eight minutes after the break and captain Joss Labadie slotted in the winner two minutes from time.

A first victory since January 28 leaves the Exiles nine points from safety at the bottom of the table with a game in hand ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Morecambe.

And Flynn, who took charge after Graham Westley was sacked following last week’s 4-0 home hammering by relegation rivals Leyton Orient, was delighted with his players’ response.

“It’s a massive win,” said the caretaker manager. “It just lifts the whole place – you can see the smiles on the boys’ faces and the fans were exceptional.

“I said we had to fight and scrap and in the second half the boys were absolutely outstanding.”

Cooke’s goal put the hosts in charge after a scrappy first 45 minutes but Flynn’s half-time team talk had the desired effect.

“I told them that I believe in them and I trust them,” he said.

“We were 1-0 down but it’s League Two and you’re going to have set-backs but we had to show some strength of character to come back.

“I would have been just as happy if we’d got a point but the way we finished the game I thought we could have had a few more.”

Flynn hopes it’s a result that can kick-start an unlikely revival with 11 games left to play.

“We’ve got to put the pressure on other teams now and drag them in,” he added.

“It’s not impossible but we’ve got a tough game on Tuesday and we’ve got to prepare right and make sure we’re ready to go again.

“Hopefully we’ll come away with the right result and then it gets really interesting.”