NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn believes his squad is better equipped this season to combine FA Cup success with a League Two promotion push.

County beat Leeds United and took Tottenham Hotspur to a replay in last year’s competition but that success was followed by a significant dip in their League Two form.

The Exiles slipped from fifth in the table on January 19 to a lowly 13th by April 7 and eventually finished 11th.

“I’ve always enjoyed the FA Cup, especially last year,” said Flynn.

“I think it affected one or two games but it wasn’t the reason why we fell off [in the league. I think we just ran out of steam.

“It happens, especially when you’ve got small squads.

“But the most important thing is that it stabilised the football club.

“I’m sure, if you look at it in the grand scheme of things, the club would have taken a big win bonanza over a play-off push and I think that was the best thing to happen.”

Asked if he had the resources to do both this season, the Exiles boss said: “I hope so. I’m hoping we can break the mould and have a good cup run, followed by an even better league run.

“I think we’ve got a better squad this season and I’m hoping we go and prove it.”

And Flynn is confident that his side can come out on top in tonight’s second-round tie in Wrexham.

“The third round is huge but I’m under no illusions about how tough the game is going to be,” he said.

“If we perform like we did at Cheltenham in the first half we’ll lose but if we do what we did against Northampton in the first half we’ll win the game.

“That’s not me being arrogant. I just know what we can do and if the right players turn up, we’ll win the game.”