Exiles stun Seagulls
League Two newcomers Newport scored twice in extra-time to dump 10-man Brighton out of the Capital One Cup 3-1 in Oscar Garcia's first home game in charge of the Seagulls.
Substitute Danny Crow cancelled out Ashley Barnes' opener before scoring again in the first period of extra-time along with fellow sub Conor Washington.
Championship side Brighton had the ball in the net inside the first three minutes but Jake Forster-Caskey was in an offside position as he headed in a cross by Kemy Agustien.
County forced three successive corners and much-travelled striker Chris Zebroski had a close range effort scrambled away.
But the Seagulls broke through to take the lead after 18 minutes when unselfish play from Will Buckley set up striker Ashley Barnes and he coolly rolled the ball into the net from close in.
Brighton's former Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren came to his side's rescue by tipping over a goalbound header from Zebroski before Christian Jolley surged through and put an angled drive wide.
Newport goalkeeper Jamie Stephens was forced to stretch to parry a 25-yard strike from Rohan Ince and later stretched low to hold a dangerous ball into the box by Spanish playmaker David Lopez.
Brighton continued to be threatening in attacking areas and Kazenga LuaLua saw a deflected shot go over before Buckley's low drive was taken by the scrambling Stephens.
The Seagulls should have doubled their advantage shortly before the break when Barnes put the ball into the side-netting from a tight angle after LuaLua's quick break.
Brighton continued to look dangerous and defender Adam El-Abd shot narrowly over after trying his luck from 25 yards.
The Seagulls were reduced to 10 men 23 minutes from time when Spanish defender Inigo Calderon was shown a straight red card by referee Brendan Malone following a challenge on Byron Anthony.
Both players were fully committed when challenging for a 50-50 ball and Anthony, after suffering a leg injury, had to be stretchered off the field.
Newport pulled level nine minutes from time through substitute Crow, who smartly headed in a cross from Adam Chapman.
Brighton pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages of normal time and Barnes went close with a header before putting the ball over the crossbar after being put through by Agustien.
Striker Crow struck again to put Newport ahead in the fourth minute of extra time with a smart finish into the top corner past Ankergren after Lopez failed to close him down.
Substitute Washington pounced on a defensive mistake to make it 3-1 in the 102nd minute. coolly rounding Ankergren before putting the ball in an empty net.
Source: PA
