Newport County's 3-1 success against Swansea City in the FAW Premier Cup quarter-final last night created history by claiming their first Football League scalp - and boss Peter Nicholas vowed 'it is the shape of things to come.'

Nicholas' blueprint is to introduce full-time players bit-by-bit at the Dr Martens League, Premier Division club, as he aims to put Newport back on the football map with Nationwide League status - and he insisted after last night's heroic win: "Newport want these type of games against league clubs week in-week out.

"And if this club wants to move forward in a big way, full-time football is the only answer."

Emotional County chairman Wallace Brown, who helped form Newport County rise from the ashes of the old Ironsides back in the summer of 1989, admitted: "This is our first win against a Football League club so it's a major landmark for Newport County.

The new County had lost out to League clubs in competitive games on five previous occasions.

The Exiles has lost twice to Cardiff City at the third round stage of the Welsh Cup in 1989 and '91, drawn 2-2 with Blackpool in the FA Cup first round last season before losing the replay 4-1 after extra time and then lost to Swansea 3-0 at the same stage of this competition last term.

Nicholas said: "It was a great win against a Swansea side who want to win this cup because it's big money. We haven't decided 100 per cent about full-time football but hopefully we can make that plan of action in the summer."

County now have made £31,500 in prize-money from the lucrative competition - plus £5,000 for last night's game being broadcast live on BBC television - and a semi-final win would bank them a further £25,000.

Speaking about last night"s game, Nicholas crowed: "We deserved it because of the way we played.

"I'm thoroughly pleased with my players. They gave 110 per cent and we played good football. And we were lucky not to score a few more.

"It was a big game for Newport and we excelled ourselves, but we have been playing well for four weeks. I'm just pleased for the players and the people of Newport because they deserve a bit of success and hopefully we can bring that.

"It's a big win for me and the club because to beat a Football League side at this level is a great achievement.

"This win does help the players get over the disappointment of the FA Cup defeat to Team Bath."

The semi-final draw is being made live tonight on BBC2 Wales at 11.20pm with Cardiff City, Wrexham and Rhyl all joining County in the last four.

On who he'd like in the semis, Nicholas said: "We would love to get another League team so that we can pull a big crowd in and get some more money in."