GOAL hero Tom Owen-Evans insisted Newport County AFC are “too good to go down” after his super strike earned victory over promotion-chasing Exeter City on Saturday.

The 20-year-old’s first goal in senior football was enough to beat the Grecians at St James Park and the win moved County to within striking distance of their relegation rivals.

The Exiles are now just three points behind Hartlepool United and four behind Cheltenham Town.

A home victory over struggling Yeovil Town on Good Friday could see them climb out of the bottom two for the first time since November and it would move Michael Flynn’s men to within four points of the Glovers in 20th place.

Owen-Evans believes the momentum is with County now and he’s certain they can beat the drop.

“Not many people would have fancied us to come here and get the three points so it’s cut the gap further,” said the academy graduate after the win at Exeter.

“It’s a massive result and I think people will be looking at it and saying we are well and truly in it. It’s a massive statement to the division.

“We’re definitely on an upward curve. We’re winning games and picking up points – I think that’s 13 in 21 – so we’re definitely making a statement and I think other teams will be scared.

“Everyone believed that we were good enough,” he added.

“We don’t deserve to go down. We’re too good a team to go down, I think.

“It was all about putting the belief back into the team. The gaffer tells us there is no pressure and that he believes in us, so that’s what we’ve doing and now we’re picking up points.”

Saturday started off in frustrating manner for Owen-Evans and his teammates as they were stuck in heavy traffic on the M5, meaning the match had to be delayed by 45 minutes.

But his 53rd-minute winner, a left-foot rocket from 25 yards out, ensured it was a memorable day for the youngster.

“To get there in the end, get the three points and my first professional goal is a dream come true,” said Owen-Evans, whose goal against Morecambe in December was erased from the record books when the match was abandoned at half-time.

“We had a warm-up that wasn’t really shorter than usual so we were all saying in the changing room that there could be no excuse, we had to go out and perform despite the disruption.

“It could have been used as an excuse but I don’t think our dressing room is like that and we got out there and got three points.”

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St James Park is a happy hunting ground for the midfielder, who scored in an FA Youth Cup victory for Michael Flynn’s under-18s side back in 2014, but his winner on Saturday meant even more to him.

“It felt unbelievable,” he said. “They can’t take that one away from me!

“It’s one of the best moments of my life, I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.

“That’s two in two for me [at Exeter] now. It was unbelievable to score in front of our fans, especially when we needed the three points so badly. It’s a dream come true.”

With captain Joss Labadie suspended for the next two games, Owen-Evans is hoping to enjoy a run in the side and help the club survive.

“Hopefully the goal helps me keep my place,” said the Bristol-born talent.

“It’s a bit of a statement for me. I said beforehand I wanted to take my chance and hopefully I’ve done that.

“It would be massive to stay up,” he added. “Other clubs didn’t think I was good enough but this club gave me a chance and it’s a club that’s in my heart now.

“And, when you looked at the situation a few weeks ago, to be a part of what will hopefully be this success story would mean a lot to me.”