Aaron Lewis: Newport still hunting automatic promotion

The Exiles can move to within a point of the League Two automatic promotion spots when they head to Mansfield Town on Friday evening (kick-off 6pm).

The table remains congested with just nine points from third-placed Tranmere to Bradford in 12th.

Most County fans would settle for a place in the play-offs but defender Lewis say the squad are setting their sights high.

"The top three is the goal for everyone. We know how close we are and it's a really tight league," said the full-back, who is comfortable on either flank.

"With the quality that we've got then I don't see why we can't go and get automatic promotion.

"Every game is tough, everyone can beat everyone but we've just got to work harder than our opponents to get three points, then move onto the next one with the games coming thick and fast."

PATIENT: Aaron Lewis is proving his quality after breaking into the County side

Lewis has been one of County's best performers in recent weeks after stepping into the side for the injured Ryan Haynes down the left.

The 22-year-old spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Rodney Parade from Lincoln but made just one appearance for the then table-toppers.

He returned to the Imps in January and County had another left-sided defender lined up to provide competition for Haynes only for a deadline day delay to scupper the loan move.

Lewis had been released by League One Lincoln and the former Wales Under-21 international made a swift return to Newport.

"It was frustrating to say the least," said the Swansea City academy graduate about the inactive first spell. "I spoke to the gaffer when I went back and we had a few chats about different things.

"I thought this was the right place for me to come and I could see that the style of football would suit me.

"I have just had to bide my time and luckily I got a chance to come in and I've played a few games, so hopefully I can keep that going.

"I felt pretty good going in [for the game against Bradford]. I'd felt ready all season so was just raring to go when the chance came – I was just happy to get minutes and it felt good.

16.03.21 - Port Vale v Newport County - Sky Bet League 2 - Aaron Lewis of Newport County and Zak Mills of Port Vale

"It was tough but there are only 11 spots and we've got a really good squad who are all training really well, keeping each other on it.

"It just shows the quality here that it's one person out, another in and we can still go and get results.

"You know that you just have to keep churning out performances, and it's about the result for the team at the end of the day."

Lewis and his fellow defenders dug deep to upset in-form Bolton on Monday and they will attempt to repeat the trick in Mansfield before hoping Saturday afternoon results go their way.

"We know that we have eight games left and just have to look after ourselves. Results went our way on Monday but we need to do what we need to do first," he said.

"At this point of the season you start to look at the table a bit more but we've got to make sure we do our thing first before we start looking at other results."