FA Cup: Barnet await if Saints get through

Newport County keeper Joe Day clears another Brackley Town attack at St James Park

Saints boss Kevin Wilkin saw his side battle back from two goals down in Sunday’s first round tie with the Sky Bet League Two outfit to draw 2-2 at St James Park thanks to Curtis McDonald’s stoppage-time equaliser to earn a replay next Tuesday.

Wilkin said: “It’s not the greatest draw we could have had, away from home, but it’s a good surface at Barnet. Before then we’ve got to beat Newport in the replay and that will be tough.”

Looking back on Sunday’s tie, Wilkin added: “The lads kept going and showed great resilience. We threw caution to the wind in the closing stages, which you can do in those situations.”

And with several non-league clubs producing great results over the weekend, the Saints boss says the FA Cup has got its magic back.

He added: “The FA Cup lost it’s gloss for a while but the magic is truly back now. The cup is the biggest window of opportunity for non-league players and we’ve also got a few here on-loan who also had the chance to show what they can do in a big competition.

“Taking Wrexham to the third round last season and being within ten minutes of knocking Stoke City out was fantastic and you’ve got to make the most of your opportunities when they come in this competition.”