Newport County AFC welcome Carlisle United to Rodney Parade on Tuesday evening, with just three points separating the two sides.
Here, you can find all the facts and statistics ahead of this Sky Bet League Two fixture...
The opposition - Carlisle United
Carlisle United, who finished 18th last term, currently occupy 10th in the Sky Bet League Two table, having gained 58 points from their 39 matches.
The Blues had a thoroughly impressive start to the season, losing just six times up until February. Chris Beech’s side went on a run in December of four successive wins, propelling them towards the top of the table.
Their season was temporarily halted with a squad-wide Covid outbreak, so understandably the results suffered, but they look to have recovered from this blip having not lost in their last four games.
Team news
Manager Michael Flynn has been dealt a defensive blow after it was revealed Priestley Farquharson will miss the rest of the season through injury. However, Flynn will again be able to call on Nicky Maynard after he missed the trip to take on his parent club Mansfield Town on Friday.
The Blues will be missing two men on Tuesday in defender Rhys Bennett and midfielder Brennan Dickinson. Both players aren’t expected to feature for the rest of the run-in.
One to watch – Jon Mellish
Jon Mellish has been United’s bright spark in front of goal this season, scoring 15 times in all competitions, with 10 coming in the league. He scored three goals in two Emirates FA Cup appearances and also hit a brace in the Papa John’s Trophy.
The English midfielder has only been playing this position for a year after he was converted from a defender. This switch of positions looks to be a masterstroke with goals now a huge part of his game.
Mellish began his career with Gateshead, where he made his debut in 2016, and also spent time on loan at Newcastle Benfield a year later before moving to Carlisle in 2019.
Manager – Chris Beech
Chris Beech was appointed to the Carlisle hot seat in November 2019 on an 18-month contract until the summer of 2021. After leading the Blues to safety last season, his side have kicked on with the hopes of playing Sky Bet League One football next season.
The 46-year-old had previously been caretaker boss at Rochdale in 2011, before taking up an assistant role with the Dale until 2019. His appointment at Carlisle is his first as a head hoach.
The Englishman played 279 times in his playing career as a midfielder, turning out for the likes of Blackpool, Hartlepool and Huddersfield, before finishing his playing days at Rochdale.
Last meeting between the sides
The last time County met Carlisle was in November at Brunton Park, where it was Carlisle who took the three points.
Carlisle took an early lead through a Lewis Alessandra penalty, which was added to in the second half by a Jon Mellish double.
Two goals in the final 10 minutes from Jamie Devitt and Josh Sheehan gave the Exiles hope of a point, but United held on to claim the victory.