Cwmbran Town 2 Newport County 3 THREE goals from set pieces leave Newport County within a whisker of the quarter-finals of the FAW Premier Cup.

This was supposed to be an exiting, frantic Gwent derby oozing passion, but it was not a classic in freezing conditions by the seaside in Barry.

Newport went two up within 26 minutes through Billy Clark and Matt Rose before a Rhys Griffiths double pulled Cwmbran back into the game.

Between Griffiths' goals Newport's midfielder Darren Ryan was red-carded for allegedly kicking out at Chris Watkins.

But ten-men County battled well and scored their winner through Jeff Eckhardt with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Cwmbran played the better football and used the ball well. At times Newport were neat and tidy, but it wasn't an all-action cup classic which the scoreline and sending-off might suggest.

Newport started brighter and took the lead in the ninth minute when centre-back Clark nodded home his third of the season after Ryan's corner was not cleared.

Rose hit a 20-yard shot which Gary Wager parried only to Garry Shephard, who crossed to the far post where unmarked Clark had the simplest of tasks to head in.

Newport could have doubled their lead through Martin Paul and Clark, who had a header cleared off the line by Watkins.

They got number two when midfielder Rose connected with Ryan's left-wing free-kick to guide his 12-yard header past Wager for his third goal in four games.

Cwmbran rallied and within five minutes were back in the game through Griffiths.

Watkins' cross should have been cut out by Andrew Thomas, but the ball somehow found its way to Griffiths who squeezed his shot between the near-post and County keeper Pat Mountain.

Injuries meant Cwmbran had to start with Griffiths and young Jason Welsh up front for the first time and it was that combination that got Cwmbran level just after the break.

The excellent Anthony Wright slid the ball through to Welsh, who looked off-side but the linesman kept his flag down, he ran into the box and squared the ball to Griffiths who scored as Newport's strong protests for off-side were waved away.

Cwmbran looked the better side and ten-men Newport were struggling until Eckhardt ended Town's hopes, heading past Wager after James' corner had been headed back into the danger zone by Clark.

Rhys Jones should have put the game beyond doubt in stoppage time, but with only Wager to beat he put Steve Benton's centre wide. That would have been harsh on Cwmbran, who played so well and will take some plusses from this.

* In the picture: County's Billy Clark scores last night. Photograph: Adrian White