FA Cup: Saints see their dreams ended in replay

Brackley Town players applaud their travelling supporters at the end of the game

The Sky Bet League Two outfit won 4-1 to set up a trip to Barnet in the second round after seeing off Kevin Wilkin’s side at the second attempt.

Saints got off to the worst possible start, going behind in the first minute when Lenell John-Lewis beat Sam Hornby from a tight angle. And the visitors’ task got even harder when Yan Klukowski doubled Newport’s advantage in the 17th minute from a free-kick which found the top left corner.

Saints gradually got into the tie, Richard Batchelor’s shot from just outside the box was saved by Joe Day while Glenn Walker fired wide from 18 yards and Pablo Mills headed over. In between, Scott Boden was off target for Newport.

Trailing by two first half goals as they did in the first game, Saints were given a lifeline six minutes before the break when Aidan Hawtin reduced the arrears after being set up by James Akintunde.

After the restart, Alex Rodman had a long range effort blocked while Mark Byrne was off target twice in quick succession. But Newport restored their two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute when Rodman found the bottom corner of the net after good work from Medy Elito.

Having scored at one end, Hawtin effectively put the tie out of reach for his side in the 71st minute when he put the ball into his own net.

Substitute Tom Winters tested Day in the closing stages but there was to be no dramatic late comeback this time for Saints.