MICHAEL Flynn is set to be confirmed as the new permanent manager of Newport County AFC this week after completing the Great Escape on an incredible day of drama at Rodney Parade.

Defender Mark O’Brien volleyed in an 89th-minute winner to beat Notts County and secure the Exiles’ Football League survival.

It was a seventh victory in 12 games since Flynn was named caretaker manager following the sacking of Graham Westley in March – when County were 11 points from safety.

Chairman of operations Gavin Foxall hailed the “phenomenal job” that Flynn has done and says talks will take place on his future this week.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” Foxall told the Argus.

“Newport came out and supported the club and to be sold out was unbelievable.

“The atmosphere was fantastic and on the pitch it was a real rollercoaster match.

“After 89 minutes we were dead and buried and in the National League.

“But what a strike from Mark O’Brien to end an absolutely fantastic day.

“We all know Michael Flynn is Newport through and through and he has done a phenomenal job.

“His enthusiasm is infectious and you can see that in the way he’s lifted the lads and the way they’ve played since the Crewe game.

“Even after losing 6-1 at Plymouth they bounced back. They are a brilliant set of lads and I can’t speak highly enough of Michael. The job he’s done is fantastic.”

Asked about Flynn’s future, Foxall said: “We’re going to sit down with him this week. We always planned to do so anyway.

“Michael is extremely mature in his outlook and we’ve talked with him all along about a variety of different things but he wanted to leave it to this week and that’s what we’ll do.

“We’ll sit down with him but what a great job he’s done. I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

And he told told BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales: "We just need to sort a few things out with him.

"I would have thought it would be very difficult for any of the directors to walk around Newport if Michael didn't get the job.

"Michael has put himself in the position where he has shown what he can do with those around him as well.

"I suspect we will be making an announcement this week."

Flynn is clear that he would love to lead his hometown club into next season.

“I’d be a fool not to want the job,” he said. “I don’t know, we’ll have to speak to the board of directors.

“We were always going to sit down this week, regardless of the outcome, and they’ve always been honest with me – that’s all I can ask for.”

Both Foxall and Flynn believe the club’s future is bright.

“If you look at the under-18s and the academy and what they’ve won I think Byron Anthony, another local boy, has done a great job with them,” said Foxall.

“The work that Norman Parselle does in the community behind the scenes is fantastic and that shows in the number of younger fans we saw at the game.

“And with Michael doing the job he’s done I think we can build on this and the planning starts straight away.”

Looking ahead to next season, Flynn said: “We’ve got to get the recruitment right over the summer, we’ve got to make the right decisions with the players staying or not and we’ve got to build on this.

“We’ve got to have a good pre-season and get them ready to go come August.

“We don’t want to be in this position again next year. The club has got to build on this now and that’s what we’ll plan to do. The hard work starts now.”