MIDFIELDER Lee Minshull insists Newport County AFC will be going for the win at Crawley Town tonight, even though League Two is their main focus.

County travel to take on the League One play-off contenders in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy (kick-off 7pm) and manager Justin Edinburgh has already stated that he will rest some of his stars.

But Minshull, who returned to the side following a three-game ban in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Bury, says the Exiles know better than most sides what a cup run can do for confidence.

The 27-year-old was part of the team that made the FA Trophy final at Wembley in 2012 – the one bright spot in a tough season at Spytty Park.

County have prospered since then are now riding high in League Two but Minshull can still see the value in a cup run.

“The league is obviously our priority but, as we’ve seen with the cup competitions since I’ve been here, they can be a big positive,” said the former AFC Wimbledon man.

“So we’ll look to try and win at Crawley. We’re going in with confidence after Saturday and looking to build on that result before the trip to Rochdale next weekend.

“It will be tough but we’re feeling good,” he added. “We’ve been competitive all season and if we pick up results on the road then I feel we’re always going to get wins at home.”

Fellow Exiles midfielder Mike Flynn agrees that Saturday’s hard-earned point at Gigg Lane was a positive result.

“It’s early days yet but if we can pick up points on the road and win our home games we’ll do well,” said Flynn.

“We battled hard and put a shift in. If we didn’t we wouldn’t have got anything. The boys stuck together and deserved the point.

“And if we can go and get a win at Rochdale as well then I don’t think you could ask for much more.

“Four points from two away games would be great and then you’ve got to go and win your home games.”

Flynn believes the team has made themselves hard to beat and he insists they will not give anyone an easy ride this season.

“Teams are going to have to work hard to beat us,” he added. “We’ve shown our work ethic over the past few weeks.

“That is what the gaffer always drives into us and I think it is something he gets nine times out of ten.”