Newport County: Justin Edinburgh dedicates win to Byron Anthony

League Two Newport's manager Justin Edinburgh has dedicated his team's shock 3-1 League Cup win over Championship Brighton to Byron Anthony.

Anthony, who was captain for the night, suffered a double fracture of his right ankle in a clash with Inigo Calderon in the 67th minute at the Amex Stadium.

The Spaniard was sent off, but Edinburgh does not believe the foul was intentional.

"I don't think there was any malice in it," said the former Spurs defender.

Defender Anthony was taken to hospital after being carried off on a stretcher and will require surgery.

"We've spoken to him on the phone at the hospital. We're just waiting to hear when he'll be operated on," added Edinburgh.

"Obviously we're going to miss him for a long period of time now, which is a massive blow, because he's been a fantastic player since the day he got into the team through to tonight and being captain of the team.

"We're hugely disappointed for him but we'll move on and we'll dedicate that victory to him.

"It was an awful incident and an awful sound but there was no malice or intent from the Brighton player - I just want to clear that up.

"There's no doubt players have to celebrate [a famous victory] and we have in there, but Byron is at the forefront of our mind and I'm sure he'll recover."

County, who were playing in the League Cup for the first time in 25 years, fought back from a goal down to force extra time thanks to Danny Crow's 81st minute equaliser.

The substitute struck again with a spectacular shot three minutes into the first half of extra time before Conor Washington pounced on a defensive error to make it 3-1.

It capped a spectacular start to the new season for Newport after they were promoted back into the Football League at the end of last season.

On Saturday they recorded a 4-1 victory against Accrington Stanley in their first League Two match.

But Edinburgh said the win over Brighton "without a doubt" eclipsed anything he's achieved as a manager.

"We've come to a fantastic arena against a fantastic team with real high-class quality players and for long periods of time we've had to chase tirelessly," he said.

"But I always say my team never know when they're beat and I think that was shown in abundance.

"And I don't think it was by luck. I think it was a thoroughly deserved win."

The draw for the second round of the competition takes place on Thursday when there is the possibility of Newport being drawn against Cardiff City.