NEWPORT County AFC boss Michael Flynn insists the pressure is all on their League Two rivals in the promotion race.

The Exiles can land the first blow in the tussle for the play-offs and top three when they head to Mansfield tomorrow evening (kick-off 6pm).

They can move to within a point of the automatic promotion spots and then watch on to see how their rivals respond on Saturday afternoon.

County, who ended a three-game losing streak by beating Bolton Wanderers on Monday, set the pace in League Two until January but remain right in the mix despite patchy form.

They have eight fixtures and when asked how much pressure County are under, Flynn replied: "None, they don't feel it.

"There is no pressure for us, there are a lot of clubs that need to go up this season. They are expected to go up and with the start we had all we did was raise expectations around the place.

"These boys are so level-headed and down to earth that they just get on with the job.

"Everybody is disappointed when we lose, everybody is excited when we win but I will never let them get too up or down until it's over."

County lost to Port Vale, Leyton Orient and Barrow before a much-needed 1-0 win against in-form Bolton at Rodney Parade.

FRUSTRATED: Bolton Wanderers Manager Ian Evatt confronts the referee at the end of the game.

FRUSTRATED: Bolton Wanderers Manager Ian Evatt confronts the referee at the end of the game.

"There is still so much work to do. One win doesn't change everything but what it does is give the boys a lot of confidence for the last eight games," said Flynn.

"The way that they battled and stuck together was pleasing, because if we had done that in the three previous games then we would have had at least another six points."

The win against Bolton ensured that County still have a shot at automatic promotion, albeit they will need a flying finish with a number of games against rivals at the top.

"We are four points behind with a game in hand. If you don't say that it's realistic then you might as well pack up now and say we will take 10th," said Flynn.

"We're on 60 points, we've got eight games to go and it's all to play for. You want to go on a bit of a run now with time running out."

Mansfield sit 19th in the table but County lost to 21st-placed Barrow a week ago so there is no danger of complacency against the Stags, who drew against promotion-chasing Exeter on Monday.

"I know they are at the wrong end of the table but they have a very, good squad and manager.

On their day they are a match for anybody," said Flynn.

"They have had some good results and some poor results but on their day they are a match for anybody in the league.

"I don't care how we win, if we score in the first or the 100th with it coming off the back of somebody's head."