WITH just three games remaining in League Two it looks as if Newport County AFC are now in a four-way battle for the final play-off place. Argus football writer Andrew Penman analyses the Exiles’ chances of success.

Since my colleague Michael Pearlman predicted the outcome of County’s promotion push with five games remaining last week a lot has changed.

Jimmy Dack’s men have lost at home to Bury and at Southend United, meaning they will probably need to win all three of their final fixtures – at home to Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday, away to York City on April 25 and at home to Oxford United on May 2.

And Stevenage have beaten both Northampton Town and Portsmouth, meaning they look pretty secure in sixth position in the table.

The Boro can all but secure their play-off place with a win at Accrington Stanley on Saturday and with a home clash with struggling Carlisle seven days later it’s hard to see Graham Westley’s men missing out on the top seven now.

That leaves County, currently ninth, battling it out with Exeter City (10th) and Luton Town (eighth) to dislodge seventh-placed Plymouth Argyle.

It may be a leap of faith but, for the purposes of this exercise, let’s assume that County can overcome a worrying slump in form and lack of goals and rouse themselves to win three winnable fixtures.

Will it be enough? Where will Plymouth, Luton and Exeter slip up to let the boys in amber sneak above that all important dotted line come the final whistle on May 2?

Looking back to last Saturday, Michael correctly predicted that Plymouth would beat Mansfield Town and that Exeter would lose at Shrewsbury Town but he was wide of the mark in stating that County, Luton and Stevenage would all draw.

On Tuesday he was right in predicting defeats for County and Exeter and a win for Stevenage but Plymouth and Luton drew rather than won their matches.

That only proves what we already know; that predicting anything in League Two is tough. But here goes…

  • Saturday, April 18: Accrington v Stevenage, Carlisle v Plymouth, Exeter v Southend, Luton v Hartlepool, Newport v Dagenham

Pearlman’s predictions: County and Luton win, Stevenage, Exeter and Plymouth draw

Penman’s predictions: County, Luton and Stevenage win, Plymouth draw, Exeter lose

  • Saturday, April 25: Hartlepool v Exeter, Plymouth v Tranmere, Southend v Luton, Stevenage v Carlisle, York v Newport

Pearlman’s predictions: No wins – County, Stevenage, Plymouth and Exeter draw, Luton lose.

Penman’s predictions: County, Plymouth and Stevenage win, Exeter draw and Luton lose

  • Saturday, May 2: Luton v Stevenage, Shrewsbury v Plymouth, Newport v Oxford, Exeter v Dagenham

Pearlman’s predictions: County and Exeter win, Luton and Stevenage draw, Plymouth lose

Penman’s predictions: County and Exeter win, Luton and Stevenage draw, Plymouth lose

  • Pearlman’s final table: Stevenage 71pts, County 69, Plymouth 67, Luton 66, Exeter 66
  • Penman’s final table: Stevenage 75pts, County 71, Plymouth 69, Luton 66, Exeter 65

In conclusion we believe that three wins WILL be enough for County to make the play-offs.

According to Michael’s predictions two wins and a draw will be enough for the Exiles but I think their poor goal difference means they will need maximum points.

What do you think? Have your say at southwalesargus.co.uk and on Twitter @argusoncounty