NEWPORT County AFC caretaker manager Michael Flynn insists he is still “very confident” that his side can stay up, despite a 6-1 drubbing at promoted Plymouth Argyle.

The hosts sealed their place in League One in fine style in front of a capacity crowd at Home Park with two goals apiece from Matty Kennedy and Jake Jervis and one each from Graham Carey and Ryan Taylor.

Substitute Aaron Williams scored a late consolation for County to repair a little of the damage done to their goal difference at Home Park.

But, with three games left to play, the Exiles remain just one point from safety after relegation rivals Hartlepool United lost 2-1 at bottom club Leyton Orient.

“We played against a very good team who have just been promoted and congratulations to Plymouth,” said Flynn as the home fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle.

“I think, with all the effort that the boys have put in, it was probably just a step too far to match a team who have been quality throughout the course of the season and have just got promoted.

“We created a lot of chances in the second half, which I know sounds bizarre when you’ve lost 6-1, but we just didn’t defend as well as we have been doing.”

County had earned three successive 1-0 wins before this Easter Monday massacre and Flynn is hopeful that they can return to that sort of form when they host Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

“We kept three clean sheets in a row before today so I didn’t really see this coming in the way it did,” he said.

“The goals we conceded weren’t great and that’s something we need to sort out before Saturday.

“I did have a little look at the other scores today,” he added.

“I was checking my phone because Cheltenham kicked off early and I saw that they won.

“Fair play to them, they’re fighting as well, but it was about what we did.

“We came up short but we came up against a very good Plymouth team and I’m glad they’re out of the league because when we stay up we won’t have to play them again. I’ve seen enough of them this year!”

Flynn was keen to take the positives from a difficult day.

“I’m very confident,” he said. “The boys have been fantastic since I’ve been here and this is a blip.

“If we’d played really well and lost 2-1 and Hartlepool had drawn or beaten Leyton Orient then we’d have been worse off.

“I’ve got to be philosophical about it and I’ve got to be positive.

“Is it ideal? No, but I know we’ll brush ourselves down and come back stronger. We’ll keep fighting until the end.

“We’ve got three tough games now and we’ve got to make sure we better Hartlepool’s results.

“Hopefully that will keep us in the Football League.”