STRIKER Padraig Amond believes Newport County AFC must demonstrate their ruthless streak by killing off a “wounded” Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium today.

County were frustrated not to beat high-flying Coventry City at Rodney Parade on Friday when a late goal from visiting substitute Max Biamou cancelled out Mickey Demetriou’s first-half opener.

Amond was denied his first goal since January by a stunning save from Sky Blues goalkeeper Lee Burge and he’s determined to end his barren spell this afternoon.

“The keeper made an unbelievable save and I think if I’d left it or missed the ball completely it probably would have gone in,” said the Irishman.

“Keepers seem to be having really good games against us at the moment but I think we played well against a team who will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

“You saw the size of their away support – they are a big team – and we acquitted ourselves very well and I think we deserved to win the game.

“We’ve only got a point and it’s very frustrating but we have to move on to the next game and if we put in a similar performance at Chesterfield I think we won’t be far away.”

It was a 15th draw in 39 games for the Exiles and Amond says they won’t be taking anything for granted against the Spireites, who lost at fellow strugglers Port Vale on Friday.

That defeat against 10 men left Chesterfield in 23rd place, four points below Grimsby Town.

“They’re going to be very tough,” insisted Amond, who previously played for Grimsby and Hartlepool United.

“They’re going to be wounded but it’s still in their hands.

“I think there’s four points in it with two games in hand for them and I imagine I’ll be getting a few messages from Grimsby fans telling me to try my best to help them out.

“I saw the game against Notts County a few weeks back [a 3-1 win for Chesterfield] and they played really well so it will be tough.

“It will be a different kind of game compared to Friday and we have to make sure that we’re up for the battle.

“We have to go there and be very positive for the 90 minutes, get a win, get back on track and see where it leaves us in the table.

“If we win, you’ll look at Friday as a really good point.”

County are now 10 points below the play-off places and Amond admits the odds are against a top-seven finish.

But, after last season’s Great Escape condemned his Hartlepool side to relegation, he’s not giving up hope yet.

“There’s seven games left and it’s going to be a tough ask but last season the club was dead and buried and I saw from the other side what can happen,” he added.

“When you’re looking over your shoulder it’s never nice. Someone always comes late [into the play-offs] and why can’t it be us?”