Luton Town 4 : 2 Newport County - Hatters eventually see off Exiles

Posted Sunday, November 09, 2014 by PA

Luton eventually reached the FA Cup second round after an entertaining 4-2 win over Newport.

The visitors came close through Aaron O'Connor's wonderful overhead volley, while Chris Zebroski blasted horribly wide after beating Town's offside trap.

Luton's best early chance saw Paul Benson glance narrowly wide from Jake Howells' lovely cross, before Hatters took the lead in glorious fashion five minutes before the break as Luke Guttridge dispossessed Lee Minshull and from fully 30 yards arrowed his shot into the top corner.

After the break, Ismail Yakubu's header was cleared off the line by Nathan Doyle but the Exiles levelled in the 51st minute through Yan Klulowski's incisive turn and volley.

However, Luton were back in front seven minutes later as Paul Benson bundled the ball over the line after Joe Day had saved from Mark Cullen.

An end to end contest saw ex-Hatters striker O'Connor nod Newport level, before Town substitute Ricky Miller put Luton ahead for the third time in the 77th minute, converting Howells' corner.

Howells then wrapped up the tie with five minutes to go, racing forward and drilling into the bottom corner.