STRIKER Padraig Amond praised the “brilliant spirit” inside the Newport County AFC dressing room after their 2-1 victory at Grimsby Town.

Amond helped create the first goal for Robbie Willmott before his striker partner Frank Nouble secured all three points with a deflected goal after the break.

The win lifted County to 10th in League Two, just two points below the play-off places and only four behind third-placed Accrington Stanley.

Amond was one of the star performers against his former club and he enjoyed his return to Blundell Park, even if he couldn’t add to his goal tally.

“Grimsby are a very different team to when I left,” he told the Grimsby Telegraph.

“I don’t think there was a player here involved from my time at the club, apart from Macca (James McKeown), who is injured.

“That is unfortunate for him. He makes a big difference to the squad.

“It was nice to be back, but it’s also nice to come away with the three points.

“That is the joys of football. You go somewhere and try to do things the right way. It’s our job.

“I tried to score, of course, but it wasn’t to be. It doesn’t bother me, because we won the game and we put in a good performance. The spirit that we have here is brilliant.

“I’ve said it before, as long as I contribute to the team, I don’t care who scores. It’s always been the same throughout my career.”

The Exiles are relishing their FA Cup fourth round clash with Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur on January 27 but Amond insists League Two is their priority before then.

Michael Flynn’s men host Crawley Town on Friday night and Morecambe on Tuesday, January 23, before welcoming Spurs to Rodney Parade.

Amond added: “We are delighted. Spurs in the cup is something to look forward to, but we have two games before then and the league is the most important thing.

“Still, the lads are playing for their shirt for that game, and it’s something that we are all really, really looking forward to.”