By Michael Addison
Substitute Ricky Jade-Jones’ late double was enough to knock Newport out of the FA Cup at the first round stage for the first time since 2021, as Peterborough came from 2-0 down to prevail at Rodney Parade.
A quickfire Newport double courtesy of Anthony Glennon and Kai Whitmore had given the League Two side the early advantage.
But Abraham Odoh’s back-post finish, and Joel Randall’s vicious strike got Peterborough back on level terms going into the final quarter of the game.
And Jade-Jones’ two goals, five minutes apart, made it a 19th consecutive second round appearance in the FA Cup for the League One side.
Newport started the game quickly, as Glennon was fouled by James Dornell 25-yards from goal. Glennon stepped up, curling the ball past the Posh wall and beating Nicholas Bilokapic down to his right to give his side the perfect start.
It was Glennon’s first goal for County since joining the club from Grimsby in the summer.
Two minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead. Good combination play by Courtney Baker-Richardson and Kieron Evans saw Whitmore played in and his brilliant turn and shot into the bottom corner made it 2-0.
Posh responded with opportunities of their own as Ryan De-Havilland’s effort was dealt with by County ‘keeper Nick Townsend.
However, the visitors halved the deficit when Kwame Poku found space down Newport’s left channel and his cross was guided in by an unmarked Odoh.
Minutes later, the away side came close to equalising when Poku’s direct run and low shot saw Townsend tip the ball onto the post and out for a corner.
Before half-time, Peterborough had a goal ruled out. Jack Sparkes’ low corner found its way into the goal, however, a mix-up in communications between referee Stephen Martin and his assistant saw the goal controversially disallowed, with a retake of the corner ordered instead.
Twenty minutes before time, Randall grabbed the equaliser after being left unmarked and rifling his effort into the roof of the County net.
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson brought on Jade-Jones and he delivered in the 89th minute, rounding Townsend and scoring off a post to give his side the lead.
As Newport looked to take the game to extra-time, the away side made sure as Jade-Jones drilled the ball low through Townsend’s legs to knock Newport out.
Next up for Newport is a league game next Saturday at Prenton Park against Tranmere.