Newport County are keeping their fingers crossed that good luck comes in threes.

Manager Peter Nicholas and his assistant Glyn Jones are currently plotting the downfall of the Second Division millionaires of Cardiff City in the FAW Premier Cup - and the pair are in buoyant mood after back-to-back Dr Martens League Premier Division victories.

Newport's 3-1 win at Hastings United followed a 2-1 away win against Halesowen Town, putting County in a positive frame of mind ahead of tonight's (6.55pm) showdown.

Newport County AFC haven't beaten Cardiff in their two competitive meetings, losing 1-0 in 1989 and 3-0 in 1991 - both at the third round stage of the Welsh Cup.

The old County won 11 but lost 16 of their 33 meetings with the Bluebirds before they were wound-up in 1989 - but for the new club it's the biggest game of their 14-year life.

"It's the biggest game of Newport County's young life," said Jones. "And I'm sure the players will play like it is. "Me and Peter will have no problems motivating the players for tonight's game. We're not scared of them at all and we'll be going out to play for a win, we expect nothing less.

"Newport County have a lot of ex-professionals and a few have played for Cardiff City so we'll be looking to match ourselves with where we ultimately want to be.

"It'll be a great occasion."

County have already won £41,500 from this season's FAW Premier Cup and a shock victory against Cardiff, last year's winners, would net them an extra £25,000. Winning the competition would win them a further £100,000 - a massive incentive for a non-league club like Newport.

The Exiles are, however, without former Bluebird midfielder Kristian Dimond, who is cup-tied after playing in Cardiff's 3-1 quarter-final win at Welsh Premier League leaders TNS.

Mike Fowler is likely to replace Dimond and battle with his younger brother Lee in the centre of midfielder while County trio centre-back Billy Clark (thigh), skipper Matt Rose (groin) and striker Neil Davis (calf) face late fitness tests.

"We'll be getting together early before tonight's clash," added Jones. "To go through our tactics and game-plan for the Cardiff game.

"We showed grit, determination and great character to win at Hastings on Saturday and I am sure that will continue tonight. We need to keep working hard as a team because, as we proved on Saturday, we will reap our rewards.

"We did have a blip but all teams do. The players nor the management never stopped believing in our ability and now that Neil Davis is back in the team we're finding goals easier to come by.

"Cardiff will be a tough test tonight but one we'll enjoy."

Newport County (from) : G Wesson, C Collins, S Benton, A Thomas, B Clark, J Eckhardt, J Perry, M Rose (c), N Davies, M Fowler, G Shephard, N Davis, R French, A Stevenson, R Plant, R Idze, L Stone