Articles by Chris Wathan

Technology

Hughes soaks up home win but challenges Newport for more

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."