Newport County 2 Gillingham 2 (aet) – Newport win 4-3 on penalties: FA Cup first round match report from Rodney Parade

Gillingham are out of the FA Cup after a penalty shootout defeat at League 2 rivals Newport County.

Elliott Nevitt’s opener was cancelled out by Cameron Evans in normal time and Cameron Antwi thought he’d won it for the hosts in the 109th minute before ex-Newport striker Seb Palmer-Houlden levelled with seconds left. It needed penalties to separate the League 2 clubs, with Newport winning it 4-3.

Gillingham hadn’t won a game since beating Newport at Rodney Parade in the league a month earlier, going six games without a win prior to their return.

Gillingham made four changes to their team - switching it up in attack again as Nevitt was brought in to play upfront with Josh Andrews, as Sam Vokes and Seb Palmer-Houlden dropped to the bench.

Captain Armani Little was back in the starting line-up, which led to Robbie McKenzie dropping into centre of defence, the Gills opting for wing-backs.

Jake Turner lined up in goal to replace injured Glenn Morris. Taite Holtam was recalled from his loan at Ashford United as the back-up keeper, having previously played in the preliminary and qualifying rounds of the competition for the non-league side.

Little was busy in the opening stages and put Gillingham’s first chance wide of the mark before they took a 14th minute lead.

Remeao Hutton’s cross was met by McKenzie and when the ball dropped for Nevitt he fired goalwards and the ball went in with the aid of a deflection.

Nevitt might have got another soon after but couldn’t dig out a shot after he and Andrews combined to create another opening for the Gills.

It took a great save from home keeper Jordan Wright to deny Andrews as Gillingham continued to dominate the opening period of the game. His downward header from another Hutton cross