Newport County score late winner to knock out Leeds United

League Two side Newport County have beaten Championship Leeds United 2-1 to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Newport were the better team for most of the match and Conor Shaughnessy’s own goal looked to have sent the tie to a replay after Gaetano Berardi gave Leeds the lead. Newport’s top scorer Shawn McCoulsky leapt highest at an 89th-minute corner to send the Welsh club through.

Leeds started strongly and it took just nine minute for Berardi to open the scoring. A speculative 30-yard shot bobbled past Joe Day into the Newport net.

After that, though, Newport matched Leeds throughout and nearly levelled from a corner, but Padraig Amond’s shot was blocked on the line.

Newport continued to push, with Frank Nouble causing problems up front. Joss Labadie tested Andrew Lonergan before striking a Robbie Willmott cross wide of the target.

The League Two side continued to push in the second half with the ball camped in the Leeds half for long periods. Amond came close once again when his overheard kick went over before Nouble failed to get high enough for a header in front of goal.

Labadie blazed over with Newport’s next attack but the score was level soon after.

After good work on the right byline, Nouble sent in a low cross which Shaughnessy turned into his own net.

Newport continued to be the better team after the equaliser, and could have taken the spoils when McCoulsky curled the ball wide from the edge of the area.

Nouble rose highest once again but headed over and Amond headed into the arms of Lonergan from a Willmott free-kick.

Veteran striker Paul Hayes was introduced for his debut with four minutes remaining and immediately fired a long-ranger towards goal which went over the bar.

In the 89th minute, Scot Bennett’s shot was turned behind for a corner, and Willmott sent a perfect ball onto the head of McCoulsky to send the ball into the back of the net from eight yards.

From the kick-off, Leeds striker Samuel Saiz was shown the red card after an altercation with McCoulsky.

After four minutes of stoppage time, Newport’s victory was confirmed.