Hughes soaks up home win but challenges Newport for more

Dave Hughes tasted victory at Rodney Parade for the first time with Newport's FA Cup first round penalty shoot-out win over Gillingham

Newport County head coach Dave Hughes has challenged his side to use FA Cup confidence to end League Two worries after expressing his delight and pride at finally ending his wait for a home win.

Hughes had not overseen a victory on the Rodney Parade touchline since his appointment in the summer.

In fact, it has been more than seven months since a Newport win here with poor form at the end of last season taken into account.

Newport's lack of victory in front of their own fans had contributed to Newport's position at the bottom of the entire EFL, undermining Hughes' claims that his young team were better than their standing suggested.

But although it came via a penalty shoot-out in an equally exciting and tense first round tie against fellow League Two side Gillingham, Hughes believes the well-earned win can lead to much more.

"I've told them to enjoy the moment because they earned it – and I'm really proud of every one of them," said Hughes, who enjoyed hearty celebrations with supporters following Ben Lloyd's winning penalty.

"And to win at home is very important for the confidence of the group, but also for the supporters. They've always been with us, they've always been vociferous in their support and to give them something to cheer about today was something really, really positive.

"I keep saying it, because I genuinely believe it, but we've not played badly too often. My feeling is we're a better team than the league table suggests.

"But we're there (at the bottom of the table), and we need to keep proving to people that we've got real good grit, determination, and that this is a difficult place to come to.

"We need to ensure that when we also come in next week we serve up more of the same."

Newport showed plenty of fight and potential in their first-round tie with the Gills, who had been among early promotion pace-setters before a recent fall-off in form.

Having fallen behind to Elliott Nevitt's early strike, goals from Cameron Evans and Cameron Antwi looked to have sealed progress before Seb Palmer-Houlden took the game to penalties.

Even then, County's young side had to pick themselves up after an early miss from Sammy Braybrooke, with Antwi having to retake a spot-kick - scoring after his initial attempt was saved.

Hughes said it displayed the kind of mettle Newport need and called for it to be repeated. He could not ask for a greater test than League Two leaders Walsall who arrive at Rodney Parade next Saturday, now with the chance of a first Newport home win in the league since March.

But Hughes, who has had to face questions over his future during a difficult start but has now enjoyed four wins from his last five games, said he would allow himself to enjoy the moment.

"I will enjoy it. I always do; we love football, that's why we do it," he said. "We're passionate about what we do. We might not show it as often but the players are just the same and we all want to do well.

"I believe there is the talent here and we will enjoy it. It's only one game and there's lots more to come, but we want to rack the points up now."