NEWPORT County AFC head to Portsmouth on Saturday targeting a fifth successive victory at Fratton Park, writes Andrew Penman.

County, who are six points from safety after Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with Luton Town, need a win on the South Coast and history is on their side.

They have not lost at Pompey’s historic home ground since 1979, with two draws in 1981, a win in 1982 and three victories since returning to the Football League in 2013.

Caretaker manager Michael Flynn scored both goals as the Exiles won 2-0 at Fratton Park in 2013.

And they followed that up with a 1-0 victory there in 2014 thanks to Andy Sandell's free-kick and a 3-0 triumph just over a year ago with goals from Darren Jones, Scott Bodin (below) and Dean Morgan.

South Wales Argus:

Flynn is hoping the trend continues on Saturday as his relegation-threatened side take on the promotion-chasing hosts in front of an expected crowd of more than 16,000.

“We’ve gone there the last three years and won and I’m hoping that the boys go and enjoy themselves on a great pitch,” he said.

“It will be a great atmosphere – it’s a Championship club – and the pressure is on Portsmouth because they’ve got to go up.

“There’s pressure on us as well because we want to stay up but I’m hoping that we bring our A game and get a good result down there.”

Defender Mark O’Brien will miss the match through suspension after his red card on Tuesday.

Mitch Rose’s ban ends after this weekend but Flynn is happy with his options after two tiring matches on the poor Rodney Parade playing surface.

“They put a shift in because it’s tough playing two games on that pitch in short succession,” he said.

“Obviously Mark is going to be suspended and that’s a big loss for us but it was good to see Darren [Jones] play and I thought he was excellent.

“He came back in and was solid and that will do him good.

“I know his legs will be sore but he’ll have to get used to it because he’s going to be [doing a lot of] running at Portsmouth on Saturday, if selected.

“We’ve got nearly everyone fit now,” he added. “I think it’s only Jamie Turley, Lennel John-Lewis and Ben Tozer who are injured.

“Those are the only three that are ruled out so there is competition for places.”