County to try to end losing streak against a fired-up Bradford hunting play-offs

NEWPORT County AFC will try to end their nightmare League Two losing streak against a Bradford City side chasing the play-offs on Saturday.

The Bantams have given themselves an outside shot of climbing into the top-seven in front of a fired-up Valley Parade, where the capacity is just shy of 25,000, courtesy of a late 2-1 win at Barrow on Tuesday night.

Tyler Smith calmly slotted in the 90th minute to keep the dream alive when it looked like a 1-1 draw, after goals by Bobby Pointon and Kian Spence, would end Bradford’s chances.

Graham Alexander’s side will now be hot favourites to become the eighth side in a row to beat the struggling, injury-hit Exiles and will then hope two other results go their way.

They need Barrow, who are seventh but have taken one point from their last six games, to lose at home to second-placed Mansfield and for Crawley to fail to beat Grimsby.

The Mariners are 21st but dangerous while the Sussex side are without a win in four games.

Valley Parade will be bouncing for the visit of Newport County (Image: PA)

Remarkably, County were above the Bantams on Good Friday’s matchday 40 – now they are 11 points back and looking on at their unlikely play-off bid with jealousy.

“We had to show pride in ourselves, pride in our upbringing, pride in the club, pride in our team-mates – all those things that go on in your head," said Bradford boss Alexander.

“That’s all I asked for and that’s all I’m going to ask for on Saturday.

“If we’re not successful, at least we’ve showed the best side of ourselves. If we take that next step, then great but it will come down to our character and personality.

“If we don’t play with that, we’re not going to be good enough.”

Bradford, with five wins and a draw from their last six, have charged into the mix for the top seven while Doncaster are looking good after climbing to fifth with a 10th straight victory.

Rovers won 4-1 at Colchester, who remain at risk of dropping out of the Football League.

The hosts took the lead through Jayden Fevrier but Donny roared to victory thanks to goals by Luke Molyneux, Harrison Biggins, Tom Anderson and Joe Ironside.

Grant McCann’s side – who were NINETEETH on March 9 – need a point to secure their play-off spot at Gillingham on Saturday while Colchester need to avoid defeat against Crewe.

Defeat would leave them at risk of being leapfrogged by Sutton, who head to Milton Keynes Dons needing victory. Colchester’s goal difference is currently four better.

Meanwhile, the battle to avoid becoming the fourth side to drop to League Two is going to the wire after Cheltenham stayed alive.

The Robins beat a much-changed Peterborough 2-0 thanks to goals by Joe Nuttall and Matty Taylor to close to within two points of Burton.

Cheltenham head to Stevenage on Saturday while the Brewers travel to relegated Fleetwood (kick-offs 12.30pm).

Cambridge, who go to Port Vale, are also still in the mix as they are a further point ahead after having to settle for a 1-1 draw with Wycombe.

Carlisle, Vale and Fleetwood are already confirmed as dropping out of League One, while Chesterfield have secured promotion from the National League as champions.

Saturday’s League Two fixtures: AFC Wimbledon v Walsall, Accrington v Tranmere, Barrow v Mansfield, Bradford v Newport County, Colchester v Crewe, Crawley v Grimsby, Forest Green v Notts County, Gillingham v Doncaster, MK Dons v Sutton, Salford v Harrogate, Swindon v Morecambe, Wrexham v Stockport.