Newport County AFC vs Leicester City. The FA Cup Third Round.
Rodney ParadeAttendance6,705.
Monday 7 January 2019 06:11, UK
Padraig Amond's 85th-minute penalty secured a 2-1 win for League Two Newport County against Leicester in a classic FA Cup third-round tie at Rodney Parade.
Jamille Matt headed County into an early lead (10), but Claude Puel's side equalised with eight minutes remaining with a rifled shot from Rachid Ghezzal that beat Joe Day.
But after Marc Albrighton handled Vashon Neufville's cross inside the box, Amond stepped up to clinch the victory as Newport knocked out a top-flight side for the first time since January 1964.
Leicester were lacklustre in the first half but were unfortunate not to take the lead when winger Ghezzal forced Day into a fine save around the post.
The hosts rekindled memories of beating Leeds and holding Tottenham at home last season, breaking the deadlock with their first attack. Robbie Willmott beat Christian Fuchs down the right and produced a pinpoint cross for Matt to rise above Wes Morgan and glance his header in off the post.
Newport came close to doubling their lead 10 minutes later as a rehearsed corner involving Willmott led to Matt Dolan forcing Danny Ward to save with his legs as the ball was worked back to the edge of the area.
Shinji Okazaki had already gone close with a shot that was cleared off the line by the masked Mickey Demetriou before the Japan forward was withdrawn at the interval. But it was not until the 54th minute before they threatened again as Albrighton cut in from the left and hit the bar from 25 yards with Day beaten.
Kelechi Iheanacho wasted a good opportunity when he dragged wide after a rare mistake from Demetriou before substitute James Maddison's shot was blocked by the excellent Fraser Franks.
Just when it appeared Newport had weathered the storm, Leicester levelled when Day, seconds after a superb save from Maddison, was powerless to prevent Ghezzal's venomous shot from the edge of the area finding the net.
But Newport were not ready to settle for a replay, and Mike Flynn's side immediately earned a penalty as Albrighton inexplicably lifted his arm to block Neufville's cross.
Amond kept his cool to slot his 16th goal of the season past Ward to seal a memorable victory as Newport bridged a gap of 74 places in the biggest shock of this year's third round.
To a man, Newport were magnificent, but their efforts were epitomised by their captain Fraser Franks.
The defender was courageous throughout to win his battle with Iheanacho and set the tone for a deserved win for the League Two side.
It took something special to breach the hosts, but Leicester struggled to create clear-cut chances largely due to Franks' organisation of a back three that refused to be beaten. No team will want to be paired with them in Monday's draw.
Newport travel to face Crewe in League Two on Saturday, while on the same day Leicester host Southampton in the Premier League.
