NEWPORT County AFC head to Crawley Town tonight and the man who scored the winner on their last trip to the Broadfield Stadium is tipping them for success.

The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie is not a high priority for County or League One Crawley but that Conference clash just under three years ago was a top-of-the table meeting.

And the Exiles stunned the league leaders and eventual champions 3-2 with Darryl Knights getting the winning goal in October 2010.

Danny Rose had opened the scoring before Crawley recovered to lead 2-1 but Craig Reid levelled and Knights popped up with a third.

It was one of the highlights of the forward’s time with the Exiles as they took the Conference by storm in the final few months of Dean Holdsworth’s reign as boss.

Knights, who was released by current manager Justin Edinburgh in the summer of 2012, is now playing for Solihull Moors in the Conference North but he is pleased to see his old club’s progression.

“I keep a close eye on how Newport are doing and I still keep in touch with a few people there,” said the 25-year-old.

“I knew Justin and Jimmy Dack would do well there and they’ve brought back Wayne Hatswell too, which I think is a good move.

“I’m really glad they are going so well in League Two and I think they can carry that momentum on and maybe push for the play-offs this season.”

Knights picks out his equaliser against Welsh rivals Wrexham in September 2010 as his best memory of his time at Spytty Park but he recalls the win at Crawley with fondness too.

“We were flying at the time under Dean and that was a great comeback by us,” he said.

“I remember that we were 2-1 down then Reidy scored and I managed to get the winner and our fans were great that day.

“But for me the goal at Wrexham was more special as it was the first Welsh derby for years.”

After coming off the bench in the FA Trophy defeat to York City at Wembley in May 2012, Knights was released and is now playing under Marcus Bignot – brother of his former Exiles teammate Paul – at Solihull.

“We are doing OK so far this season, we’ve started well,” he added.

“We’re into the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday and it would be nice to get through and draw Newport later on. I never got the chance to play at Rodney Parade!”

Watch Knights’ goal in the 3-2 win at Crawley on 16/10/10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_eMZtnpqis