Cashman’s late winner secures FA Cup win for AFC Dunstable

AFC Dunstable reached the FA Cup first round qualifying after beating Newport Pagnell Town in a replay on Tuesday night.

The hosts welcomed back the Carney brothers to their starting line-up, but lost striker Jermaine Hall (knee) and Dale Turney after he suffered ligament damage on Saturday.

Danny Ryan got a start to partner Terry Griffiths in the centre of defence, so Leon Cashman was pushed up front and Jonathan Cooper came in for Turney.

Newport started on the front foot with Josh Crawley leading their line superbly, as he latched on to a poor clearance and fired just wide.

He was soon to make amends, when from an Adam Pryke through ball he was taken out by keeper Ricky Perks, dusting himself down to convert the spot kick.

The Swans continued to control the ball for long periods and worked extremely, but AFC had their first chance of note, when a rasping Cashman shot was tipped over by Mark Osbourne.

The hosts were then level when from a Newman Carney in added time, Ryan headed back across goal and Crawley got the final touch as he put through his own net.

In the second period, AFC introduced Danny Jones and Jason Beck, who had been sent off in the first meeting on Saturday.

With 15 minutes to go, a far post corner saw Beck’s header strike the post and was then cleared off the line, while Griffiths was also denied by the woodwork too.

Just as the game looked set for extra time, AFC notched the winner as Carney’s free kick found Beck at the far post and his header set up Cashman who powerfully struck home the winner.

AFC will now travel to Ryman Premier Division leaders Leiston in the next round as boss Steve Heath said: “That was well and truly a great FA Cup tie.

“You have to give Newport enormous credit as I thought on Saturday they were quite average and had the opportunity to kill us off with 10 men but did not, this time they excelled especially in the first half.

“I did explain to the lads at the break that surely they cannot keep us this high intensity and this proved to be the point.

“As we grew stronger, they slightly started to wilt a bit under the pressure. They have some very talented players in their ranks and it showed in the early stages of the game, but I think fitness told in the end.”

AFC: Perks, Massay, N Carney, Ryan, Griffiths, B Carney, Griffith, Olaleye, Christie, Cooper, Cashman. Subs used: Jones, Beck. Subs not used: Humbert, Byron, Bufano.

Attendance: 138.