MATCH REPORT | NEWPORT COUNTY

Barnet came flying out in the early minutes at The Hive Stadium, setting the tone from the very first whistle.

The Bees took control early, pressing high and looking sharp as they searched for an early breakthrough.

Newport struggled to find any rhythm in the opening stages, with Barnet dominating possession.

A free-kick on the right side of the box gave the hosts a promising opportunity, Anthony Hartigan delivered a dangerous ball into the area, met by Senior, but his header lacked direction and went out for a goal kick.

At the other end, Joe Wright was called into action for the first time in a Barnet shirt, safely gathering an effort from Matthew Smith outside the area.

Barnet looked lively going forward.

Glover found space to slide in Zak Brunt, but Newport ‘keeper Nikola Tzanev was quick off his line to deny the chance.

Then, out of nowhere, the visitors struck on 30 minutes, Cameron Antwi latched onto a cross from the right and volleyed home with power to put Newport ahead.

The setback didn’t stop Barnet from pushing, and Hartigan tried to spark a response with a floated ball into the box, but there were no takers.

Moments later, the Bees were dealt a second blow.

Michael Reindorf weaved his way through the defence and rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner to double Newport’s lead just before half-time.

Half-Time: Barnet 0-2 Newport County

Barnet returned after the break determined to turn the tide.

Newport had a chance early in the second half with a back-post cross that went just over, but Barnet continued to push.

Kanu had a go from the right, looking to curl one in, but his shot flew high.

Newport nearly extended their lead on the counter, but Wright reacted brilliantly, racing out to block a one-on-one chance.

With just over 25 minutes to go, Dean Brennan made a triple substitution withScott High, Kane Smith and Rhys Browne coming on for Mark Shelton, Ryan Glover and Zak Brunt.

High looked to make an immediate impact with a curling strike from the middle, but it was well blocked.

Minutes later, Browne nearly pulled one back with a sweetly hit shot from the edge of the box, only to be denied by a spectacular save.

As the clock ticked down, Barnet threw everything forward.

Kanu tried his luck again from the left, but Tzanev was equal to it.

The game looked to be slipping away, despite Barnet creating chance after chance.

But just as the board went up for stoppage time, there was a glimmer of hope.

Ryan Galvin slotted the ball past the Newport keeper to make it 2-1 with less than two minutes to play.

The Hive roared into life as Barnet weren’t done yet.

With seconds left, a cross was floated into the box, and Rhys Browne rose highest to head it home, completing a dramatic comeback and sending the game to penalties.

Full-Time: Barnet 2-2 Newport County

Debutant Joe Wright made a dream start, saving Newport’s opening penalty.

Dennis Adeniran stepped up confidently and chipped his effort down the middle to put Barnet in front.

Both sides converted their next two, with Browne making it 2-1 for the Bees.

But Joe Hugill saw his effort saved, and Newport made no mistake with their remaining spot-kicks.

Kane Smith stepped up needing to score to keep Barnet in it, but his penalty was saved, bringing an end to a thrilling game and concluding the Bees run in the Carabao Cup.

Full-Time After Penalties: Newport win 4-2 on penalties

Lineup: Wright, Collinge, Senior, Osadebe, Kanu, Glover, Brunt, Hartigan, Shelton, Hugill, Kensdale

Subs: Adeniran (Osadebe 45′), High (Shelton 66′), Smith (Glover 66′), Browne (Brunt 66′), Galvin (Collinge 80′)

Goals: Galvin (90+7’), Browne (90+8’)

Attendance: 1789 (278 Newport County Supporters)