Newport knock out Leeds in FA Cup thriller

This came straight from the FA Cup’s textbook of shocks.  On a bobbly pitch, in a small but packed stadium roaring on their League Two heroes to the euphoric conclusion, Newport staged a dramatic late comeback to secure their first appearance in the fourth round in 39 years.

And they deserved nothing less.

Indeed, neither did Leeds United, as they followed up last year’s loss to Sutton United with another third round embarrassment. Thomas Christiansen was left to defend his decision to make nine changes.

Newport v Leeds - how the match unfolded

However, for so long, it seemed as if the Dane’s gamble would pay off, but just when they had looked to have weathered the storm, so Michael Flynn’s men turned on the thunder with two goals in the last 14 minutes. Leeds can now concentrate on their Premier League ambitions. Newport have their own dreams

Feel for Gateano Berardi - the veteran made captain for the visit to South Wales - as this was set to be one of his most memorable days. After 12 years and 259 games as a pro – more than 100 of which have been for Leeds -  Berardi finally scored.

There was more than a suspicion of a deflection off team-mate off Pierre-Michel Lasogga as Berardi’s 30-yarder span into the corner of Joe Day’s net in the ninth minute, but nobody was daring to take the credit  from the popular Swiss defender.

In fact, the only party-pooper was referee Mike Dean who showed Berardi the inevitably yellow for running to celebrate with the away support. The 29-year-old no doubt considered it worth it.

Certainly, the Leeds fans did, appreciating the goal’s value with each passing Newport attack.  Down the right Robbie Willmott gave Manchester United loanee Cameron Borthwick-Jackson a torrid time and it verged on the bizarre that not one of his many fine crosses had not been turned in.

Padraig Armond spurred a couple of chances, with Berardi showing is quality in his day job when bravely heading away one opportunity, while, in truth, Mateusz Klich did not know too much about his block on the line.

And so it continued, with Frank Nouble, the much-travelled 26-year-old, so almost equalising with a header and then again in the resulting scramble. Soon after, Joss Labadie unable to keep down his effort when handed the grace of the area.

Rodney was rocking and the celebration was coming. In the 76^th minute, Nouble made his yards down the right, Amond tried to flick home the cross, but it was Conor Shaughnessy’s despairing left shin which did the damage to his side.

Yet Newport were not content with a money-earner up the M1 and pressed on against the famous team 52 places above them in the pyramid. With three minutes left, replacement Shawn McCoulsky, on loan from Bristol City, sent a bullet header into the net and Newport deep into dreamland. All that was left was for Samuel Saiz to be dismissed for spitting and the Leeds ignominy was complete.