Peterborough fight back to beat Newport County 4-2 in FA Cup

The League Two Posh pocked £45,000 in prize money and have a place in Sunday’s draw for the second round after avoiding a (minor) upset.

County made a dream start to lead 2-0 thanks to an Anthony Glennon free-kick in the eighth minute and a cool Kai Whitmore finish in the 10th.

However, Posh pressure paid off when Abraham Odoh slotted from close range on the half hour and they had the ball in the net shortly before the break only for the ‘equaliser’ to be chalked off having apparently gone through a gap in the side-netting.

Any potential Posh grumbling won’t come after they struck late on with Joel Randall powerfully finishing in the 70th minute and then Ricky-Jade Jones firing in after rounding Nick Townsend in the 89th minute.

Jones then twisted the knife in added time and the Exiles could have few complaints about the outcome, even if the scoreline was a little harsh.

County got off to a flying start but in truth it was one-way traffic after that as Peterborough showed the quality in attack that has led to them being play-off semi-finalists for the last two seasons.

OPENER: County celebrate Anthony Glennon's free-kick against Peterborough (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Nelson Jardim had named an unchanged side for the first time in his tenure when backing up the win at Gillingham with a draw against Fleetwood.

However, he was forced into three changes with Bryn Morris missing out through injury and Aaron Wildig on the bench because of a back issue along with Bobby Kamwa, who was among those who had been struggling with illness ahead of the game.

In came midfielders Whitmore and Kieron Evans while Courtney Baker-Richardson was recalled to join Kyle Hudlin in a strike partnership.

County, who started with a midfield diamond in a 4-4-2, were boosted by fit-again full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin on a nine-man bench.

Peterborough applied early pressure from corners but County held firm and soon took command on the scoreboard.

First a clumsy foul by Emmanuel Fernandez gave them a free-kick to the right of the goal on the rugby 22.

Glennon curled it around the wall and past Nicholas Bilokapic for an eighth-minute lead and the Posh stopper was soon picking the ball out of his net for a second time.

A defensive slip gave Whitmore, playing high up the pitch, a shooting opportunity in the box and he calmly finished.

County were 2-0 up but it certainly wasn’t a comfortable lead in an open game, with Peterborough boasting plenty of lively attacking talent.

Goalkeeper Nick Townsend, captaining the side, had to be alert to save from Ryan De Havilland in the 21st minute after the midfielder was given far too much time on the edge of the area and the Posh continued to press with balls into the box.

The visitors were on top and Malik Mothersille side-footed wide after the Exiles were caught cold from a quick free-kick to dangerman Odoh down the left.

The pressure eventually paid off in the 30th minute when Kwame Poku burst down the right and crossed for Odoh to score from close range at the far post.

It was almost level-pegging with another quickfire double when Poku went himself and forced Townsend into a smart save that hit his left post and went behind, then the ‘keeper got down well to deny Randall as the League One side kept pushing.

For all that pressure, it could and perhaps should have been 3-1 in the 40th minute when Glennon swung in a free-kick but Baker-Richardson’s connection was poor and his shot dribbled through to Bilokapic.

There was then the controversial moment on the stroke of half-time when the ball ended up in the back of the County net.

That was greeted by silence for a good few seconds until cheers from the away end that were then followed by home celebrations – it remained 2-1 after referee Stephen Martin consulted with his assistant.

Mr Martin was to the fore soon after the restart when a shot cannoned in off Baker-Richardson but handball was given against the striker in what looked the right call with the naked eye.

County were looking more solid at the back and made it passed the hour with their lead intact and with fewer scares.

Jardim turned to his bench for the first time on 65 minutes when bringing on the fast feet of Kamwa for Baker-Richardson.

County were looking to pose a threat on the break but instead they were pegged back after 70 minutes with a lovely Peterborough goal, the ball played through for Randall to slam past Townsend from a tight angle.

The visitors remained on the front foot and should have hit the front with 12 minutes to go but Fernandez failed to connect with a header when unmarked six yards out, then James Dornelly nodded straight at Townsend from a free-kick.

However, Jones got the Posh in front when he controlled a Donay O’Brien-Brady shot, rounded Townsend and scored with a shot that clipped the inside of the right post.

With County hunting a levelled, the forward then scored a fourth with a fine solo effort deep in added time.

County: Townsend (captain), Baker, Brennan, Jameson, C Evans, K Evans, Miley, Whitmore (Jephcott 73), Glennon, Hudlin, Baker-Richardson (Kamwa 65).

Substitutes: Carney, Clarke, Thomas, McLoughlin, Wildig, Spellman, Greaves.

Goals: Glennon, Whitmore, Yellow: Baker-Richardson, Baker.

Peterborough scorers: Odoh, Randall, Jones (2).

Referee: Stephen Martin.

Attendance: 2,941 (466 Peterborough).