Toon leave it late to KO Rovers

NOTHING is ever simple with Newcastle.

Extra-time goals from Joselu and Ayoze Perez earned Rafa Benitez’s side a fourth round home tie against Watford.

But Newcastle, having gone 2-0 up after 22 minutes and coasting, were taken all the way.

Benitez made no attempt to hide his priorities, making eight changes ahead of Saturday’s match against relegation rivals Cardiff.

But they went in front after 56 seconds.

Sean Longstaff had not scored for Newcastle before and will claim the goal but, after Joselu had played the ball across to him 20 yards out, his shot took a big diversion off Amari’i Bell leaving keeper David Raya with no chance.

Raya blocked a decent shot from Matt Ritchie with his legs before Newcastle scored again after 22 Yp >@;<FE 9IFFBJ skill from Danny Graham, who brought a long ball from Lewis Travis down and put Armstrong through.

The former Newcastle striker slid the ball under the advancing Freddie Woodman.

Rovers were level moments before the break after Bell forced a corner and Darragh Lenihan rose above his markers to meet Harrison Reed’s dead ball kick with a powerful header.

Things got worse for Newcastle when captain Jamaal Lascelles, a half-time sub, was forced off 11 minutes later.

Isaac Hayden headed a Ritchie corner onto the post but Newcastle did finally reclaim the lead in extra time, with Joselu following up Raya’s failure to hold Fabian Schar’s shot.

He was offside but the goal stood and a minute later Perez fired Newcastle into the next round.