County to try to end losing streak ahead of Bradford play-off chase

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

The Bantams gave themselves an outside chance of climbing into the top seven in front of a Valley parade, where the capacity is just 25,000, thanks to a late 2-1 win at Barrow on Tuesday night.

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

Graham Alexander’s side will now be favorites to become the eighth team in a row to beat the struggling and injury-hit Exiles and will be hoping two more results go their way.

They need Barrow, who are seventh but have taken a 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 skipped for the visit of Newport County (Image: PA)

Remarkably, County were above the Bantams on Day 40 on Good Friday – they are now 11 points adrift and staring jealously at their unlikely play-off bid.

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

“That’s all I asked for and that’s all I’ll ask for on Saturday.

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

“If we don’t play with it, we won’t be good enough.”

Bradford, with five wins and a draw from their last six, have moved themselves into the mix for the top seven, while Doncaster look good after climbing to fifth with a tenth straight win.

Rovers won 4-1 at Colchester, who remain in danger of relegation.

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

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

Defeat would put them at risk of being overtaken by Sutton, who head to Milton Keynes Dons needing a win. Colchester’s goal difference is currently four better.

Meanwhile, the battle to avoid becoming the fourth team to be relegated to League Two is going down to the wire after Cheltenham stayed alive.

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

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

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

Carlisle, Vale and Fleetwood are already confirmed to be relegated from 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.