NEWPORT County AFC have only beaten Morecambe twice since returning to the Football League five years ago, but Exiles boss Michael Flynn does not believe in so-called bogey sides.

The Shrimpers travel to Rodney Parade today (kick-off 3pm) three points above the League Two relegation zone after back-to-back 1-0 home defeats to Mansfield Town and Colchester United.

However, they boast an impressive record against Flynn’s men, wining six of the 10 fixtures between the teams since the first in September 2013.

They won the first five, after which County have prevailed in two, two ended in draws and Morecambe triumphed in the other, a 2-1 success at the Globe Arena last September.

“I don’t believe in anything like that (Morecambe being a bogey side) because in my second game in charge we beat them,” said Flynn.

“I think Jim Bentley (manager) and Ken McKenna (Bentley’s assistant) are doing a fantastic job there.

“They’ve probably had the lowest budget in League Two for the last five or six years.

“They are always competitive and play some good football at times.

“I sometimes think Morecambe even punch above their weight because they don’t just survive.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Jim and Ken and I have to give a lot of credit to them.”

Veteran striker Kevin Ellison has been the scourge of County over the years and is a good friend of Flynn’s.

Ellison scored twice the last time Morecambe overcame the Exiles, whose performance that day in September 2017 was described as “gutless” and spineless” by their manager.

“Kevin is brilliant,”

added Flynn, whose men are fourth in the table following Tuesday night’s point away at Bury.

“He’s one that every team wants in the changing room.

“He’s still doing well and looking after himself.

“He’s a pain in the backside, he’s annoying and he’s funny. He’s just Kevin Ellison really.

“He’s a good friend of mine, we get on well, and I think it’s a massive credit to him as a person that he’s been able to carry on playing at this level at the age he is.

“I’ve played with Kevin as well and the best thing to do is wind him up.

“Smash him early, he won’t like that!”

Flynn confirmed yesterday that “there will be a few coming back” from injury for this afternoon’s encounter, though Joss Labadie won’t be one of them.

Whoever makes the starting line-up, keeping out early goals is imperative if the Exiles want to maintain their push for promotion.

“I’m all for positive statistics but I’ll give you a negative one – we’ve conceded 12 goals in the first 30 minutes of matches,” said Flynn.

“That is simply not good enough. It’s not something I want continuing and that’s down to the players.

“When they cross that white line, they’ve got to keep the opposition out.

“Almost 50% of the goals are in the first 30 minutes, so it’s a bit frustrating.

“It’s a bit frustrating because it’s giving teams not just that little head start but a goal then gives them the impetus to attack you more and have that bit more confidence.

“On the positives, it goes to show how well we’re doing when we’re giving teams those starts and the confidence boost yet still coming back and winning or drawing most of them.”

Meanwhile, County have appointed Alex Eagle as the club’s commercial manager.

Newport-born Eagle is a former player in the club’s academy system and now coaches the under-12s and under-14s.

His most recent position at the Football Association of Wales saw him work on the national team’s headline sponsorships.

“I am thrilled to take on the challenge here at Newport County AFC, a club which has been close to my heart since childhood,” he said.

“My aim is to match the ambition that has been shown on the pitch by the players, manager, trust and the board.”