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Dack: Newport can still go up

Image: Jimmy Dack: Backs Newport for promotion

Caretaker manager Jimmy Dack backed Newport for promotion, despite the loss of Justin Edinburgh, following their 1-1 draw with Tranmere.

The Exiles had not scored in four straight defeats since Gillingham were linked with their former boss. But Mark Byrne's late leveller against Tranmere stopped the rot at Rodney Parade to seal a draw. The point keeps the Exiles in the Sky Bet League Two play-off places, whereas Tranmere are hovering just two points above the Football League's trap-door. On-loan Swansea striker Rory Donnelly looked to have sealed the points for Micky Adams' side, but Byrne curled home a rebounded shot from the edge of the penalty area to secure a vital point for the hosts. Dack, who is set to take charge until the end of the season, said: "Of course promotion is a possibility, we're sixth in the league, there is no way we're writing it off. "But we've been through a major trauma and it's about regrouping. "We know the players can do it - onwards and upwards. "I think a cloud has been lifted, we can draw a line under what's happened over the past few weeks and move this club forward again. "I said to the players before the end of the game it's like splitting up with a long-term girlfriend and it will take you a few weeks to get going again. "But I said once you get going you'll be back on the pull again. "I've never been a football manager, I've always been a number two and I'm going to see if I enjoy it and I can push on doing it." Tranmere manager Micky Adams bemoaned the lack of an influential figure to take control of proceedings for his side. He said: "The game needed someone to take it by the scruff of the neck. "It needed some tempo to liven it up because it was lifeless, and that's what Danny Holmes' quick free-kick did, it allowed Jennison Myrie-Williams to cross and Rory Donnelly to score. "I thought we could get better in the second half but unfortunately we didn't. "We got deeper and deeper, thinking we'd done enough, and we invited pressure. "We felt as if we were mugged on Saturday but tonight we had to show our battling qualities and close Newport down. "In the second half I think they had the best of the game but we've seen it through and got a point on the board away from home. "We've got seven new signings and they've all got to learn and gel with each other. "It's disappointing to come away not having won the game having come so close but we'll take it and move on."

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