STRIKER Marlon Jackson reckons Newport County AFC’s drubbing by Mansfield Town was “just an anomaly” and believes the League Two play-offs are still within reach.

Jackson made his comeback at Field Mill on Tuesday after three months out with the hamstring problem that has limited him to only three Exiles appearances this term.

Having picked up the injury last summer, Jackson featured against Cheltenham Town in the Checkatrade Trophy on November 7 and then the league clash with Accrington Stanley 11 days later.

But things turned sour again for the 27-year-old and he didn’t return to action until County’s ill- fated midweek trip to Nottinghamshire.

While delighted to get game time under his belt, Jackson was understandably dismayed by the Exiles’ 5-0 thrashing, 72 hours after their home fixture with Forest Green Rovers was postponed.

However, Jackson is adamant Michael Flynn’s men can get their promotion push back on track, starting with Saturday's visit of Notts County to Rodney Parade (kick-off 3pm).

“There’s 14 games to go,” he told iFollow Exiles. “We were written off last year so there’s no point ever writing off Newport. We will never say die, so the club can do anything.

“The crowds we have been getting lately could be our 12th man so of course we could still do it.”

He added: “We couldn’t really see that result coming (against Mansfield).

“The lads have been absolutely brilliant the whole season so far and hopefully that’s just a one-off.

“We’ve had a little discussion and we know that is just not good enough.

“That’s not what we are, that’s not how we play, and it shows that we’ve not had a day like that since the gaffer and Hats (Flynn’s assistant Wayne Hatswell) have come in.

“We’ve got a massive game on the weekend against Notts County, every game is getting bigger, and we just have to fight really.

“We’ve got to make sure that this never happens again.”

He continued: “This is just an anomaly, that is not us and we’ve got to draw a line under all of that.

“The defence has been brilliant all season so I’m sure they will get back to that on Saturday.”

Jackson is hoping the Notts County match will give him another chance to impress Flynn.

He was unable to spark an Exiles fightback having come on as a half-time replacement for Frank Nouble on Tuesday but just getting out on the pitch was a major plus for Jackson.

“On a personal note, obviously I’m buzzing to be back and that the gaffer had the faith to put me on at half-time when things weren’t going right,” he said.

“I tried to get involved in the game as quickly as I could, but it was hard.

“It was a difficult game, we weren’t at the races, but I’m just really pleased to be back.

“It would have been nice to get on the scoresheet but that would have just been 5-1, it would have been overshadowed by the result and the result is the main thing.

“The level that we train at means that I have a good level of fitness.

“I played 45 minutes straight off the bat, 90 minutes is a different story and it will depend on how the game goes.

“Each game is different, if the gaffer puts faith in me then I will give it my best.

“If I get tired, he will take me off, but all you can do is give your best.”