RELIEVED OFF REDS
FOR the second successive year holders Newport Pagnell edged past Leighton Town in a thrilling tie at Willen Road, winning 7-6 on penalties as Alfie Powell slotted home after Benjamin Spaul had his weak shot saved by Martin Conway in the Swans goal.
With an all-ticket gate and a 1,435 attendance, the local derby started brightly. In the second minute the Swans’ Shane Bush had a header cleared off the line, before Albie Hall scrambled a shot over from six yards.
The Reds had their moments, but the breakthrough came at the other end in the 22nd minute when Ben Ford’s shot hit the diving Gary Connolly’s hand. Referee Jason Porter gave the spot-kick and Hall put it in the left hand corner.
The home team continued to attack, and in a feisty battle Powell and Mo Ahmed were both booked in the opening half hour.
Leighton did have a corner scrambled off the line on 30 minutes but the 1-0 scoreline could have been more as the half-time whistle blew.
In the second half there was another miss from Newport straight from kick-off.
However, from then on Leighton got back in the game. They had a penalty appeal for hand
ball turned down, struck the woodwork and then forced Conway into action.
However, their pressure paid off on 85 minutes when a cross floated in to the far post was headed in from close range by Leon Lobjoit.
Straight from the kick-off, a similar chance was missed by the home side’s Jake Watkinson.
After eight shots and two misses each in the shoot-out, Spaul put his effort straight at the keeper, which left Powell to put the Swans into the fifth round, where they will face another home tie against Jersey.
Assistant boss Gary Chance said: “We had the chances to put them away first half but missed them and then we had to defend well in the second half.
“We’ve only had one game in two-and-a-half months so were a bit rusty. We are going to have some tough games, it’s the nature of the competition.”
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