Manager Michael Flynn believes Newport County AFC's performance against Brighton & Hove Albion can give his side confidence to keep their good league form going.
The Exiles took the Premier League side all the way to a penalties at Rodney Parade but eventually fell to a 4-3 shootout defeat against Graham Potter's side in the Emirates FA Cup third round.
Solly March's late strike looked to have sent County out of the competition in normal time when he fired past Tom King before an own-goal from Adam Webster in the sixth minute of stoppage time sent the game to extra-time and then penalties.
Webster atoned for his earlier error and fired in the winning spot-kick to book Brighton a place in the fourth round, but it was the second time this season - following the defeat against Newcastle United - that a Premier League outfit required penalties to seal victory over the Exiles.
"I’m hugely proud of the lads because they kept going and got the equaliser," said Flynn.
"We put up a good performance and it was always going to be difficult against a Premier League team, but we showed our work rate and organisation. On a different day, we would’ve won that penalty shootout.
"There’s a lot more positives than negatives to take out of the game."
The defeat against the Seagulls ensured County, who hadn't played since Boxing Day prior to Sunday's tie, can now turn their full attention to their Sky Bet League Two campaign.
Flynn's men sit second in the league table ahead of Saturday's clash against Salford City at Rodney Parade, but have a game in hand over leaders Carlisle United and have played two less than third-placed Forest Green Rovers.
Flynn added: "I can't speak highly enough of them and now we have 26 games and 26 cup finals to finish off a season which has had so much promise. Let's make sure we have something at the end of it.
"The work rate and some of the quality at times was exceptional. They all stuck together, they all kept to their roles and responsibilities.
"I am massively impressed with the way that we went about things."