PREVIEW: Luton Town v Newport County AFC

Ahead of tonight’s trip to Kenilworth Road, the Welsh side are six points behind leaders Kidderminster, with two games to play and a goal difference of 10 to make up.

Anything less than victory against Luton will see the title race down to just two, and County may well look at a disappointing March to where their chances were finally ended.

Justin Edinburgh’s men endured a run of two wins from seven games in that period, drawing four and losing two in the process, and haven’t quite been able to claw back the gap on Mansfield and Harriers.

That dip was swiftly put aside with three straight home wins, as Newport scored seven and conceded just one in that time, as they look to go into the play-offs with a real head of steam.

Speaking ahead of the match, Edinburgh told local media: “Yes there is an outside chance of the title, but we need to concentrate on what is happening in our changing rooms.

“What will be will be over the next two games, if we can go into the play-offs in good form then great.

“People will obviously look at the table and fixtures and say if so and so beat them and they lose to them and County win the remaining two games then we will go up, but the odds are against us – we will see.”

The club only made one signing of note before the end of the loan window as Colchester United midfielder Alex Gilbey joined until the end of the campaign.

Team news: Hatters are without Ronnie Henry as he underwent a hernia operation, but the rest of the squad is fit, leaving just Danny Spiller and Garry Richards out injured.

Newport will be without defender Ismail Yakubu who faces a week on the sidelines with a bruised foot and Max Porter, out for the season after surgery.

However, winger Ben Swallow is back in training and in contention with former Town striker Danny Crow also expected back.

Man in the middle: Michael Bull. Essex official has taken 17 games this season, showing 57 yellows and seven reds.

Sent off Town defender Wayne Thomas when Luton travelled to Braintree in February, while also dismissing the hosts’ Matthew Paine.

Has also taken Luton’s 2-0 win over Nuneaton and the 3-1 triumph at Ebbsfleet earlier in the season, while for Newport, officiated their 2-1 defeat at Dartford.

Top BSBP scorer: Hatters – Andre Gray (12). Exiles – Aaron O’Connor (18).

In charge: Justin Edinburgh - 43-year-old who had a fine career as a left back, making his name at Spurs after joining for £150,000 from Southend.

Earned an FA Cup and League Cup winners medal despite being sent off in the final, and made almost 200 appearances, before joining Portsmouth for £175,000.

Moved to non-league Billericay Town as player-manager in July 2003, before retiring from playing and taking over at Fisher.

Became Grays Athletic assistant boss and then first team boss in January 2007, but resigned in February 2008 and had a spell at Woking.

Appointed caretaker boss at Rushden before taking the job permanently in April 2009, leading his side to the Conference play-offs, but left when the club went into liquidation.

Announched as Newport boss on October 4, 2011 after Anthony Hudson departed with the team in 23rd place and led them to safety, plus the FA Trophy final, which they lost to York City.

Recently signed a new two-year contract along with assistant Jimmy Dack as he said: “Both Jimmy and I have been nothing but impressed by the club since we first arrived here.”

View from the opposition: Justin Edinburgh on the reception former Town players Aaron O’Connor and Robbie Willmott can expect this evening: “I will talk to the boys like Robbie and Aaron about going back somewhere where they can expect a hostile reaction, but it’s absolutely in my mind to play them, yes.

“In the case of Aaron, I know there has been quite a lot said between him and Luton from last summer onwards really, but in our dealings with one another Azza’s temperament has been good and he’s never, ever let me down.

“Whatever happens I’ll expect them to help us to try and get three more vital points.”

One to watch: Aaron O’Connor – 29-year-old forward moved to Newport at the start of the season after falling out of favour with previous Town boss Paul Buckle.

Started life in Wales on fire, with seven goals in his first seven games and has scored consistently throughout the season with 18 goals in all competitions, including against Luton in a 5-2 thumping.

A bad injury midway through the campaign curtailed his progress somewhat and has gone seven games without a goal, netting just one in his last 12.

Friendly faces: Apart from O’Connor, who netted nine goals in 39 games, striker Danny Crow played 70 times for Hatters, bagging 17 goals before his free transfer move to Newport. Has suffered from injuries this season at County, scoring just three times in 23 league games.

Winger Robbie Willmott is now at Rodney Parade too, joining on loan from Cambridge United. The wideman scored 15 times in 67 games for Luton and has made a fine start to life in Wales with six goals in 17 games, incuding a brace in the recent 4-1 win over Macclesfield.

We’ve got form: Town have a superb record at home against their Welsh side, who have never beaten them in 22 attempts.

Against, the Exiles’ previous incarnation of Newport County, Luton won 14 and drew of their 20 matches, scoring 63 goals and conceding 23, including a massive 7-0 triumph in the old Division Three South League back in 1935/36 as Wilf Crompton (2), Frederick Roberts (2), Jack Ball (2) and John Finlayson.

Since the club reformed as Newport County AFC, Town have won one and drawn one, making it an impressive 22 matches undefeated in total.

Last time out: Hatters were 2-0 winners over Newport County AFC last season.

With the scores goalless former Town player Ryan Charles was shown a straight red on his Newport debut after 33 minutes, while Aaron O’Connor then immediately gave Luton the lead.

Danny Crow settled the match in the second half as Luton were comfortable winners.

Hatters: Kevin Pilkington, Dan Gleeson (James Dance 41), George Pilkington (Robbie Willmott 80), Jake Howells, Janos Kovacs, Greg Taylor, Keith Keane, Alex Lawless, Danny Crow (Stuart Fleetwood 74), Aaron O’Connor, Adam Watkins.

Subs not used: Mark Tyler, John Paul Kissock.

Attendance: 6,108.

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