RETURNING hero Byron Anthony says the comeback win over promotion rivals Oxford United on Tuesday night shows the spirit and belief in the Newport County AFC squad, writes Andrew Penman.

County fought back from a goal down against third-placed Oxford to win 3-2 thanks to strikes from Rene Howe, Ryan Burge and fellow comeback kid Chris Zebroski.

It leaves the Exiles just six points off the play-off places with three games in hand ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Cheltenham Town.

And Anthony, who made his first competitive appearance for County since breaking his leg at Brighton in August, says the squad believe that they can still win a second successive promotion.

“We were unlucky not to go in at half-time at least a goal up but we showed our character and our quality to take the three points and we’re looking forward to Saturday now,” said the 29-year-old Newport native.

“It’s a massive win because Oxford are up there as well and they don’t lose many games.

“They came her looking to do us over and we played really well, especially in the first half.

“We had a look at the results and it’s nice to know that they went for us but the most important thing is that we do our job.

“We’ve got a good squad, good belief and we’ll keep battling.”

Anthony played the whole 90 minutes and admits to being wiped out by the end but he’s so pleased to be back in an amber shirt.

“It’s always hard when you come back into the side after so long out, especially with the pitch as heavy as it is at the one end,” he said.

“I’ve had to work extremely hard to get back and I’m happy to be in the starting XI again and hopefully I can play my part in pushing us on towards the play-offs.

“It was great to be back and playing at Rodney Parade. The atmosphere was fantastic and I take my hat off to the fans.

“They’ve been brilliant from the first day I joined the club and all the way through my injury.

“It was a frustrating period for me but the fans have helped me through it and now I need to pay them back.”