But there was something in the air at a sparsely-attended Rodney Parde on Saturday night which suggested Newport County may be stirring.
In recent years, FA and League Cup tournaments have brought out the best in County. They have certainly given them their most widely-recognised and celebrated high points.
It was not Brighton, Leeds United, Leicester City, or Middlesbrough who were brought crashing down this time, but Gillingham, with Newport winning 4-3 on penalties to make it through to the second round after a 2-2 draw following extra-time.
Like Newport, Gillingham are in League Two, but they are handily-placed in eighth position in the table, whilst Newport occupy the bottom spot.
So, whilst it may not have made the same headlines as some of those previous glory nights under former manager Michael Flynn, this hard-earned win was achieved from a position much further back on the starting grid.
It could also prove to be more significant, since Hughes is trying to simultaneously bring about a change in style at Newport, whilst at the same time improve on their second-from-bottom of the table finish last season.
It’s a trick that has so far proved extremely difficult, with many among the Newport fan base not really interested in seeing more “progressive” football if the debit side is to run the risk of relegation out of the Football League.
Hughes and his chairman – the former Swansea City mould-breaker, Huw Jenkins – have been the target for fierce criticism in recent weeks after they lost 10 out of 11 matches.
So much so, that despite Newport’s cup pedigree and instinctive thirst for giant-killing, many fans stayed away in protest on Saturday and the crowd was given as less than 2,000.
Never mind that former Manchester United academy coach Hughes was attempting a rapid rebuild, with young loan players at the core – patience appeared to be in short supply.
The Cup victory, however, means Newport have now emerged as winners in four of their last five matches in all competitions, which includes a Football league Trophy win at Cardiff City.
It may just be enough to now provide a platform from which the Exiles can leave their unwanted current base at the foot of League Two, utilising the talent and energy of young players such as Sammy Braybrooke, Habeeb Ogunneye, Kai Whitmore, Cameron Antwi, Cameron Evans, Ben Lloyd and Michael Reindorf, all of whom excelled against Gillingham.
“We are making progress – but we want that progress to be turned into wins,” says Hughes.
“When you look at individuals, it's unfair to single people out because these players are at different stages of their careers.
“We’ve got guys who are currently injured who are 35, 36. Everybody offers something different to the squad.
“But what we'll never get away from is if you've got youth in the age of the group, you've got to have an energy and an intensity about you.
“You need a relentlessness and to be so energetic when you haven't got the ball, to be all over, full action, non-stop, counter-pressing, and that's what we've tried to set our stall out to be from day one.
“I think we've illustrated that and I feel as though we have done it in the vast majority of games.”
Notably, three of those previous victories in the current upturn had come away from, when the harsh judgement of Newport fans may have been less vocal.
This win was Newport’s first at home this season and so a welcome first for Hughes himself after arriving in the summer.
It was their first win at Rodney Parade since March 15, with Ben Lloyd holding his nerve to slot home the decisive kick.
Gillingham had taken the lead after just 14 minutes through Elliott Nevitt, but Evans equalised before half-time to make it 1-1 at the break.
The game remained level until Antwi fired Newport in front during extra-time, only for former County loanee Seb Palmer-Houlden to snatch a dramatic 118th-minute equaliser, sending the tie to a shoot-out.
In the penalties, goalkeeper Jordan Wright became the hero when he kept out Remeao Hutton’s attempt, while ex-Wales striker Sam Vokes struck the crossbar for the Gills.
Braybrooke – the 21-year-old Leicester loanee, who looks an outstanding prospect - also saw his spot-kick saved, and though Antwi initially missed his own penalty, he was given a reprieve when Gillingham keeper Jake Turner was penalised for encroachment — allowing the midfielder to score at the second attempt.
Courtney Baker-Richardson and Bobby Kamwa had both found the net for County in the shoot-out before Lloyd, on loan from Swansea City, sealed the win with an emphatic finish into the top corner.
The result sparked jubilant celebrations among the players, staff and home supporters, who had waited months to see their side enjoy success in front of their own fans.
But if Hughes wanted a severe test of the durability of this revival, then he has been given it.
Next up is another home game against current League Two leaders, Walsall.
"I keep saying it, because I genuinely believe it, we've not played badly too often,” adds Hughes.
“My feeling is we're a better team than the league table suggests. However, we're there and we need to keep proving to people that we've got really good grit, determination, that this is a difficult place to come to and we need to ensure that when Walsall come here next week we serve up more of the same."
"We've got the league leaders coming and we need to create that same atmosphere with the supporters and the players.
"Credit the supporters who were here, they made a racket behind the dugout - that's for sure.
"We've got to recover well now, rest, and prepare for another big game next Saturday."
