NEWPORT County AFC were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup in extra-time after a tight and tense encounter with Southend United at Rodney Parade, writes Andrew Penman.

The Exiles youngsters had led 1-0 at half-time thanks to Connah Hughes’ eighth-minute opener.

The striker, who looks uncannily like first team counterpart Scott Boden from a distance, showed great composure to control the ball and poke it past Joshua Bexon in the visitor’s goal.

It was a goal that Boden would have been proud of and it was no less than the hosts deserved for an enterprising start to the contest.

Southend responded well, however, pushing County back and creating two gilt-edged chances of their own.

Striker Daniel Walker blasted over and captain Abdul Salami headed wide from close range.

But, even though the visitors continued to see more of the ball, Grant Kalahar’s side looked a threat on the break.

Cedrick Matondo impressed down the right flank and Liam Angel, Lewis Bamford, Corey Shephard and Daffyd Jones – all of whom have featured in the first team squad this season – also caught the eye.

After the interval 15-year-old goalkeeper Rhys Davies saved superbly from Reneilwe Batlokwa.

But Batlokwa then created the equaliser with a defence-splitting ball that allowed Norman Wabo to fire expertly into the bottom corner midway through the second half.

Tempers flared in the technical areas and on the pitch in a keenly contested game and Wabo and County’s Jake Young were booked for squaring up to each other.

Both sides were convinced they should have had a penalty before full-time but neither was given, meaning the extra 30 minutes was required.

Davies pulled off a spectacular save to deny substitute Damani Dias and then block a low drive from Wabo.

But he was then adjudged to have brought down Elvis Bwomono in the box and Harry Phillips converted from the spot in the 103rd minute to break County’s resistance.

County: Davies, Mathias, Smith, Young, Angel, B.Jones, Bamford (Tolland, 91) Shephard, Hughes, D.Jones (Gray, 91), Matondo (Kavanagh, 46)

Subs not used: James, Wood

Attendance: 493

Argus star man: Bamford