Ipswich Town 0-1 Newport County: Timmy Abraham strike gives Exiles EFL Cup win at Ipswich

Newport goalkeeper Nick Townsend produced a string of spectacular saves

Newport County took the scalp of Ipswich Town as Timmy Abraham's early goal saw the visitors through the EFL Cup first round.

Ipswich can count themselves a little unfortunate as they hit the woodwork twice at Portman Road through Armando Dobra and Macauley Bonne.

But it was the brilliant Nick Townsend who Newport had to thank for victory.

The goalkeeper pulled off a string of fine saves, while his defender Aaron Lewis added an acrobatic clearance.

Ipswich boss Paul Cook handed Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry, fellow forward Sone Aluko and academy graduate Cameron Humphreys their debuts in a much-changed side from their opening League One draw at Morecambe, but the Tractor Boys were without midfielder Flynn Downes after he signed this morning for Newport's Welsh neighbours Swansea City.

Newport were without Padraig Amond, after it was announced a couple of hours before the game the forward had joined rival League Two side Exeter City on a season-long loan.

The Exiles' new striking recruit Jordan Greenidge had stayed on the bench in their League Two opener at the weekend, but he was handed his debut along with full-back Louis Hall as Michael Flynn made 11 changes from their win at Oldham - including seven graduates from Newport's academy.

The two sides had not met for nearly 50 years, a 1972 League Cup encounter won 3-0 by Ipswich, and the hosts almost made the perfect start to this game as Dobra saw his shot cannon off the base of the left-hand post.

Instead it was Newport, moments after that scare, who took the lead when Abraham lost his markers to flick home Finn Azaz's inviting cross.

Ipswich were stung into action and Dobra went close again, denied by Townsend's good save, before Bonne sent a header into the ground that bounced up just over the crossbar.

The home side hit the woodwork again before half-time when Bonne could only find the upright following a corner, before Idris El Mizouni's free-kick was turned round the post by the busy Townsend.

The second half continued in a similar pattern, with Ipswich heaping on the pressure and Newport looking to hit on the counter.

Bonne thought he had scored with a header only for his celebrations to be halted by the offside flag.

Townsend produced another top-notch save to deny Dobra at full stretch, then Lewis clearing off the line with a spectacular bicycle kick from Kayden Jackson's rebound header.

Cook emptied his bench as Ipswich searched for an equaliser, but striker James Norwood limped off just 14 minutes after coming on to leave them with 10 men for the closing stages.

Newport held out to underline their status as a lower-tier team to be avoided in cup draws, after eye-catching campaigns over the past few seasons.

Ipswich Town manager Paul Cook said:

"There were some really strong performances out there, it was just one of those nights but I thought we played well and I really enjoyed the game.

"There were plenty of chances for us and unfortunately we just couldn't put the ball in the back of the net. If you don't score, we all know what happens.

"Whilst we are disappointed to go out, there were aspects to be pleased with."

Newport County manager Michael Flynn said:

"It was an absolutely outstanding win. I'm very proud of that group of players and a lot of young boys out there, haven't really played together as a team.

"I thought they dug in, rode their luck at times - let's be honest - against a weakened Ipswich team... and I'm over the moon because that's a massive confidence boost for those boys in there.

"You've seen the work ethic on him [Abraham], he's raw at times we know that, but he gives us something different - his pace is electric and I've told him if football doesn't work out he can do the 100m because he is that quick.

"But he wasn't the only one... we know how good Nick [Townsend] is... they were all brilliant."