PLYMOUTH Albion head to Newport tonight in the British & Irish Cup aiming to become only the second team in 20 matches to beat the Welsh Premiership side on their own ground (7.30pm).

Newport have lost just once in their last 19 games at Rodney Parade – a 32-17 defeat to Cross Keys last season on April 11.

In addition, they have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions including a run of four successive victories, the latest of which came last Friday with a 21-14 victory over Exeter Chiefs.

Albion can head to South Wales on the back of encouraging performances in their last four outings and the knowledge they have already beaten Newport in pre-season.

The Brickfields club enjoyed a 19-17 home win in August.

However chairman of rugby Graham Dawe has told Albion's players their game is going to have to be 'spot on' if they are to stand a chance of repeating that result tonight.

"Newport were missing a couple of players, one of whom was their number eight who is very influential," said Dawe of August's pre-season clash.

"We got a rough idea of how they approach the game and how they play it.

"But I am sure they will be up by 10 degrees tonight, from playing later in the season and playing at home in front of their own supporters.

"Newport have always had a vociferous crowd and it would certainly be an achievement if the Plymouth Albion supporters could drown them out."

Dawe added of tonight's match: "Key to us winning the game is not being intimidated by their crowd, stifling their forward momentum, not allowing them any easy line breaks or easy points and ensuring the fundamentals of our game are top notch.

"Our work-rate, set-piece play, our kicking, our points accumulation and our defence has to be spot on.

"We will have to do all of that if we are to stand a chance of coming away with a win."

While Newport opened their British & Irish Cup campaign with a win against Exeter, Albion suffered a 16-13 loss to Leinster.

That was the city side's second defeat in their last four matches.

But their performances in that quartet of outings have been much improved from earlier in the season and could easily have led to four wins.

"The team is certainly developing but whether we have done so enough to beat Newport tonight remains to be seen," said Dawe

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"We lost last Saturday to Leinster, so if we think we have the game cracked we will be in for a rude awakening tonight."

When asked if there is more to come from the team, Dawe added: "I can't predict the future. It is easy for me to say yes, but how do you know?

"There could be injuries to key players or a hard run of fixtures and it depends on whether people judge you on performances or results.

"However, I think we would be pretty upset if we don't develop further from now to the end of the season."

One pleasing aspect for Albion in last week's loss to Leinster was the dominance of their forwards.

Plymouth's pack out-muscled and overpowered their Irish counterparts and provided plenty of ball for their backs.

"We will have to see if we can do it again this weekend," said Dawe. "It all depends on circumstances, the opposition's mind-set and our own mind-set.

"Having done it one week doesn't guarantee you are going to do it a second time.

"Every game you play, you start from scratch."