GARETH Phillips insists Newport County are doubly-determined to succeed in the FAW Premier Cup's group stages to make up for Saturday's FA Cup embarrassment against lower-league Mangotsfield.

And the 24-year-old midfielder is desperate for the chance to lock horns with his old Swansea City team-mates in the quarter-finals of this money-spinning competition.

The Exiles are currently rooted to the foot of Premier Cup Group B with one point from two games - but the Dr Martens League Premier Division side are again keen to pit their wits against Welsh football's big boys.

The top two teams of both groups will go into the hat for the last eight, where they could meet one of Wales' Football League teams.

County have qualified for the quarter-finals in the past two seasons and met Swansea on both occasions - and Phillips (pictured right and above in action) is eager renew acquaintances with his former Vetch Field colleagues.

"It would be great to play against my old mates," smiled Phillips, who arrived at Newport Stadium from Swansea in the summer.

The prospect of clashing with a Football League team - following their untimely FA Cup third qualifying round exit to Western Division Mangotsfield in front of their own fans on Saturday - will give Phillips and his County team-mates an extra yard against Afan Lido in Newport's third group game tonight (7.30pm).

He added: "We all want to test ourselves against a Football League team.

"That is a big reason why our 6-3 defeat to Mangotsfield on Saturday hurt so much - that, and the fact we played so poorly.

"We have another chance of playing a league club in the Premier Cup and that is something we are not going to pass up lightly.

"There are determined players here at Newport County and for that reason we want to put in a good performance and get a convincing win against Afan Lido.

"And also those players want to prove their potential and test themselves against a league team. That will give us all an extra spark in this Premier Cup campaign.

"I was on the Swansea bench both times when we played County and I'd love for history to repeat itself this season.

"Saturday's performance against Mangotsfield was horrible for the players so I dread to think what the fans thought of it.

"We'll have to try to repay them with a decent performance and result tonight."

Phillips is tonight set to replace the suspended Andrew Mumford, on loan from Swansea, and he'll be aiming to stake a claim for a regular place in Peter Nicholas' side.

"I started the season well but I was suspended for the Weymouth win in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup," he said.

"The lads played well so I had one hell of a job to get back into the team so tonight I could hopefully get my chance."

County drew 1-1 away to Connah's Quay before losing 1-0 at Rhyl. Therefore, three of their final four Group B games are at home and Phillips says: "We must make Spytty Park a fortress."

Afan Lido are second in Group B with two points, five points behind Rhyl.

Afan Lido, though, have only scored five goals in eight Welsh Premier League matches, three of those in a 5-3 defeat at Newi Cefn Druids.