IT WASN’T a dream Newport County AFC fans, it really did happen.

The Great Escape was completed in the most sensational circumstances imaginable and County remain in the Football League.

Have your head, your heart, your voice and your fingernails recovered yet?

The Exiles certainly put everyone through the wringer on Saturday night but it was worth it in the end, wasn’t it?

The biggest Newport football crowd since 1983 packed into Rodney Parade and every home fan experienced not just a rollercoaster but a whole theme park of emotions.

Even the original 1977 Great Escape under Colin Addison couldn’t match the extraordinary drama 40 years on.

For an hour everything was going to plan and County looked set to secure safety with something to spare.

Mickey Demetriou slammed home a penalty after a foul on Lenell John-Lewis to put the Exiles 1-0 up against Notts County.

And title-chasing Doncaster Rovers led 1-0 at Hartlepool United through a goal from Andy Williams.

County were five points clear but it was just too good to be true.

Things got a whole lot tenser when the Magpies took advantage of some static defending to level through Jorge Grant on 62 minutes and a man named Rodney equalized for Pools against Doncaster.

But Michael Flynn’s men were still two points clear and safe until disaster struck in the North East.

Devante Rodney smashed in his second to put Hartlepool ahead and take them above County on goal difference.

Suddenly the nerves turned to despair and desperation for the fans at Rodney Parade as their side stood on the brink of relegation back to the Conference.

With seven minutes left to save themselves, the noise levels reached new levels as the supporters roared County forward.

David Pipe, closest to the Hazell Stand on the right flank, certainly got the message.

And so did fellow defender Mark O’Brien, thrown forward by Flynn in a frantic finale.

With 90 seconds left on the click, Pipe cut inside and chipped in a cross with his left foot.

Ryan Bird and Marlon Jackson headed the ball on before O’Brien, the most unlikely of heroes, controlled it on his chest and volleyed in the goal that made him an instant club legend.

There were wild celebrations on the pitch and there was mayhem in the stands.

Five minutes of stoppage time turned into seven or eight but Notts County rarely threatened to spoil the party for a second time.

And, when the referee did eventually blow the final whistle, Flynn led the inevitable pitch invasion as the Exiles heroes were engulfed by their adoring public.

South Wales Argus:

There were tears of joy from men, women and children – scenes that those who were there will never forget.

It wasn’t a promotion party, it was merely survival and County won’t want to find themselves in this position next season.

One Great Escape every 40 years is enough for most fans but, after the season they’ve had, the County players and fans deserved to celebrate.

South Wales Argus:

As did Flynn, who has surely done enough to be handed the manager’s job on a permanent basis.

The caretaker boss is already talking about his plans for the new campaign and he knows there is a huge amount of hard work ahead.

But even he will have allowed himself a day or two to bask in the afterglow of a job well done.