Newport County and Ben Lloyd sent Rodney Parade into raptures as the on-loan Swansea City midfielder fired the decisive penalty to seal Emirates FA Cup progression after an extraordinary contest on the banks of the River Usk.
In a tie full of twists, Cameron Evans and Cameron Antwi were on target for Newport County, while Elliott Nevitt and former County forward Seb Palmer-Houlden responded for the visitors before a dramatic shoot-out settled the outcome.
Head coach David Hughes named an unchanged side following the 3-0 win at Harrogate Town, sticking with a midfield diamond that saw Kai Whitmore operate behind Courtney Baker-Richardson and Gerard Garner. Gillingham, led by assistant manager Richard Dobson, made three changes with Jake Turner, Armani Little and Elliott Nevitt coming into the side.
The visitors struck first on 14 minutes when Remeao Hutton’s delivery was worked back by Robbie McKenzie into the path of Nevitt, whose effort took a heavy deflection beyond Jordan Wright.
Gillingham threatened again soon after, but Wright produced an excellent low save to deny Josh Andrews, and that proved crucial as Newport County responded.
A flashpoint involving Cameron Antwi ignited the contest and moments later the hosts were level. After sustained pressure from successive Joe Thomas corners, the ball dropped to Cameron Evans, who lifted his finish high into the net from close range on 33 minutes.
Newport County continued to press and felt aggrieved when penalty appeals were waved away after Sammy Braybrooke’s effort appeared to strike Ethan Coleman, but they maintained momentum in difficult conditions as heavy rain swept across Rodney Parade.
Lee Jenkins was forced off following a clash of heads, with Akin Odimayo introduced, while at the other end Wright produced a stunning late save to claw away Sam Gale’s powerful header during 11 minutes of added time.
Chances came and went as the tie moved into extra-time, with substitute Michael Reindorf going close before Newport County took the lead in the 110th minute. Cameron Antwi calmly guided his finish past Turner from 12 yards to put the hosts on the brink.
But the drama was not over. With two minutes of extra-time remaining, substitute Seb Palmer-Houlden struck an angled effort beyond Wright to level the tie at 2-2 and force penalties.
The shoot-out delivered yet more tension. Cameron Antwi was required to retake his spot-kick after the referee ruled that Turner had moved off his line, and with the contest locked at 3-3, Ben Lloyd stepped forward to convert the decisive penalty and secure Newport County’s place in the second round.
The victory marked David Hughes’ first home win in charge and a fourth success in five matches for Newport County.
Newport County
Jordan Wright; Habeeb Ogunneye, Lee Jenkins (Akin Odimayo 66), Cameron Evans, Joe Thomas; Sammy Braybrooke, Cameron Antwi, Ben Lloyd; Kai Whitmore (Nathan Wood-Gordon Kamwa 102); Courtney Baker-Richardson, Gerard Garner (Michael Reindorf 94)
Unused substitutes: Nick Tzanev, James Clarke Brennan, Alexander-Walker, Harri Pugh, Myles McKensie
Substitutions: Glennan for Ogunneye 88
Gillingham
Jake Turner; Remeao Hutton, Sam Gale, Max Ehmer Smith, Clark; Robbie McKenzie (Akomeah 103), Ethan Coleman, Armani Little (Khumbeni 46); Bradley Dack (Cirino 81), Josh Andrews (Seb Palmer-Houlden 56), Elliott Nevitt (Vokes 81)
Unused substitutes: Holtham, Rowe, Wyllie, Ogie
Match officials
Referee | Ross Martin
Assistants | Darren Wilding, Oliver Taylor
Fourth official | Ryan Saward
Attendance
2,096 (243 away supporters)
