Newport knock Gillingham out on penalties

Newport County ended their long wait for home success and extended Gillingham's winless streak as they progressed into the FA Cup second round via a penalty shoot-out.

County, bottom of the EFL, had not had reason to cheer at Rodney Parade in their last 14 home outings – a run that stretched back to March.

But Ben Lloyd's winning effort from 12 yards ended the barren run at the expense of fellow League Two side Gillingham who saw Remeao Hutton and Sam Vokes both miss from the spot.

It means the Gills have now not won in their last seven fixtures in all competitions, ironically since they celebrated a 21-match winning streak with a win at Newport in September.

The visitors had taken an early lead through Elliott Nevitt before Cameron Evans deservedly levelled for Dave Hughes side.

The Exiles looked to have sealed progress to the next round when Cameron Antwi scored in extra-time only for former Newport loan striker Seb Palmer-Houlden to equalise with minutes remaining.

But the celebrations proved worth waiting for when Lloyd slotted home, ending a wait of more than seven months.

A lower than usual crowd was there to savour it – and on the basis of the opening 20 minutes, stay-away fans were proven right with Gillingham ahead and in control.

Newport have won four of their last five

On 14 minutes, failure to clear a Hutton cross from the right saw Nevitt's shot deflect off Courtney Baker-Richardson and bobble past Jordan Wright for the opener.

But County levelled as they capitalised on a purple patch of attacking threat, Evans finally beating Jake Turner when he smashed a Lloyd corner into the roof of the net from close range.

After losing skipper Lee Jenkins following a clash of heads and a lengthy stoppage, Newport should have taken the lead only for Antwi to fail to execute a lob over Turner when a long ball gave him the chance to race in behind.

Similarly, Gillingham substitute Nelson Khumbeni will have been frustrated after he was inches away from sliding a connection onto a cross from fellow replacement Seb Palmer-Houlden.

With the game increasingly open, both goalkeepers did well to deny late efforts and ensure the game went into extra-time and added drama.

First, Newport pressure provided Antwi with the chance to turn home with ten minutes remaining.

But then Palmer-Houlden drove into the far corner to level up again and send the game to penalties. Sammy Braybrooke missed Newport's opening effort but Jordan Wright's save from Hutton and Vokes' smash against the woodwork proved decisive.

After going unbeaten in their first 11 fixtures, Gillingham have now not won in seven. Newport, meanwhile, have won four of their last five to not only earn cup progress, but also offer hope of an improvement in their league standing.