Newport County 1-1 Brentford (0-3 pens): Premier League Bees edge to penalty shootout win

Brentford goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe starred in the penalty shoot out win over Newport

Brentford avoided a major cup upset as they edged to a penalty shootout win over Newport County in the Carabao Cup.

Premier League Brentford were dominant throughout and - having been frustrated by a well-drilled Newport side at Rodney Parade - took the lead on 87 minutes through substitute Mathias Jensen.

But 18-year-old Kiban Rai struck his first goal for the club deep into time added on to send the second-round fixture to a penalty shootout.

However, Brentford won 3-0 on spot-kicks to book their place in the third round.

Newport made five changes from their 3-1 comeback win over Sutton United as Jonny Maxted, Josh Seberry, Matty Bondswell, James Waite and Omar Bogle all started.

Thomas Frank made nine changes to his Brentford side following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.

Ellery Balcombe, Yegor Yarmolyuk and Michael Olakigbe were handed their first competitive starts while Ben Mee returned from injury to partner Zanka in defence.

The Bees dominated possession from the outset and created their first opening on 19 minutes as Harry Charsley cleared Lewis-Potter's header off the line.

Kristoffer Ajer and Kevin Schade both failed to worry goalkeeper Maxted with efforts from distance as the visitors asked more questions of their League Two opponents.

Graham Coughlan's side defended resolutely though and were inches away from taking the lead against the run of play as Bogle - on his first start of the season - crossed to Charsley whose header flew narrowly wide.

Brentford were rampant in the second half as Newport struggled to get out of their own territory, although goalkeeper Maxted was relatively untroubled.

After Olakigbe flashed an effort over, Bees boss Frank sent on Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Jensen.

Nathan Wood, Scot Bennett and Seb Palmer-Houlden were summoned by Coughlan, although the latter was replaced by Kiban Rai within minutes of entering the pitch after suffering a leg injury.

Maxted stooped low to his left to keep out Mbeumo's driven effort as Brentford pushed for the game's opener.

Newport continued to battle and saw Bennett curl wide 15 minutes from time as the contest appeared destined to go to a penalty shootout.

Jensen looked to have won it for the Londoners when he tapped into an empty net in the 87th minute.

But substitute Rai headed Adam Lewis' cross beyond Balcombe in the sixth minute of time added on to ensure spot-kicks were required to settle the contest.

Lewis hit a post for the hosts and Balcombe saved Wood and Bryn Morris' efforts while Mbeumo, Wissa and Lewis-Potter hit the net from 12 yards out to ensure Brentford avoided a huge upset in Wales.

Newport County manager Graham Coughlan:

"When you play the big boys you need those slices of luck. Had we had VAR we would have had the penalty.

"I'd like to bring a couple of players in (before the transfer window closes).

"We've seen what's happened tonight so we'll have to assess that and see where we are."