NEWPORT County manager Michael Flynn is backing Phil Brown to get Southend United back in the Football League.

Flynn’s side drew 1-1 at Roots Hall on Saturday in the Shrimpers’ final outing of another shocking season.

But Flynn believes Brown can get Blues back on track if he decides to stay put.

"Phil has done an unbelievable job since he has been here and it’s probably a shame on Southend’s part that he wasn’t in a little bit earlier,” said Flynn.

"He’s experienced, knows how to get his teams playing and I am sure if he does stay then he will get them back to the Football League."

In contrast, Newport are now firmly focused on the play-offs and Flynn was keen for his players to take the praise.

“The players deserve all the accolades and they’ve been outstanding this season,” said Flynn.

“If we’d been a bit more clinical we would definitely have been in the top three but we’re looking forward to playing Forest Green.”

Newport will go into the game on the back of a draw at Roots Hall but Flynn was not that impressed with his side’s performance.

“We weren’t very good today,” said Flynn.

“We played some good football up until the final third but we didn’t penetrate too much.”

“We conceded a poor goal and let’s be honest, we scored a poor goal even though it was a great header from Mickey (Demetriou).”

Newport could have been beaten if Matt Rush had not seen his second half penalty saved by County goalkeeper Tom King.

But Flynn could not believe the spot-kick was given in the first place.

“The penalty was never a penalty and I told the assessor off as well, because it was a disgrace,” said Flynn.

“Liam Shephard got pulled and it hit his hand, I don’t know what he was supposed to do.

“You just thought that everything was going against us but we are in the play-offs and it’s a massive achievement.”