Don’t try to tell Newport County staff and players they have nothing to play for during their last couple of League Two fixtures of 2017-18.

The target for County is to set a record points tally since the Exiles returned to the Football League, says goalkeeper Joe Day.

Newport are on 63 points and in 11th place, two points off the total achieved in 2014-15, going into Tuesday night’s match at relegated Chesterfield.

Former Peterborough goalkeeper Day, aged 27, has made almost 200 first team appearances for Newport and told ifollowExiles after their third successive home win, 2-1 victory against Cambridge United: “That’s a nice way to finish our home fixtures.

“We’ve been a bit frustrated with the form perhaps leading up to those three wins because we know what we can do.

“The play-offs are out of reach now, but beating that 65-point tally is something we can aim towards.

“There are two games left to achieve that now. Play with a bit more freedom if you like, the pressure has been off us, and that 65-point tally we want to beat that.

“Maybe it hasn’t been as rapid as we would have hoped, but it has been steady progress. That’s all you can really ask for to be honest, as long as you improve on what you did in the previous year.

“If we can improve on what we have done this season and take it into the next campaign we have to give it a real good go at promotion next year.

“Everyone at this club next year will see that as a target.”

Mickey Demetriou and Frank Nouble, who fired his 10th of the season, scored the goals against United and Day said: “Mickey this season and when he played for us last season is a player who gets those goals for you.

“As a defender, chipping in with goals is invaluable. He’s always been a goal threat ever since I first played with him and it’s fantastic to have a defender in front of me who is also a goal threat.

“Ten goals is a massive milestone for Frank and I’m delighted for him because, although he seems laid back at times, he works really, really hard.”

The victory against U’s saw the Exiles move above both Cambridge and Colchester United and up to 11th, while a victory in the rearranged fixture against Chesterfield on Tuesday could see the side rise as high as ninth ahead of the final game of the campaign.

Chesterfield are coming to terms with relegation to the Vanarama National League and the departure of manager Jack Lester.

Caretaker manager and club veteran centre-half Ian Evatt has made it clear he is keen to take over.

Former Cardiff City striker Ronnie Moore, Nicky Law and former Spireites boss John Sheridan are other contenders for the job

Evatt has the job for Newport’s visit to Chesterfield and says: “It’s been a bit of a change and a culture shock, but I’ve really enjoyed it.

“It’s probably confirmed I am cut out for this. It’s been a shock to the system, not being in the changing room every day, distancing myself from the players, going in my office and making decisions. Thinking about them as individuals differently has been hard at times.

“But I do want this, I want to be a manager whether it’s now or in the future.”

‘Evo’ is 36-years-old and made more than 260 first team appearances for Chesterfield over two spells with the Derbyshire club.

He is keen to keep playing, but sees his future in management and says: “I’m dedicated to Chesterfield FC and if that means that I’m a player in the Conference then fine.

“If that means they give me the honour of managing this football club, I’ll be manager of this football club. I’m not looking to leave Chesterfield, I’m here to try and get this club back where it belongs.

“I’ll give everything I possibly can to make sure that happens.

“It’s a big job for anybody. I’m inexperienced. Does that make me any less of a candidate? Personally, I don’t think so.

“I know this football club and this group of players better than anyone else, especially when it comes down to the fact that 19 of these players are still going to be here next season.”

County have two matches left this season, against Chesterfield away on Tuesday and Carlisle United away on Saturday, May 5.