Cambridge United made a disappointing exit out of the first round of the Carabao Cup, as Newport County ran away 4-1 winners at the Abbey Stadium.
A first half brace from Padraig Amond was added to by goals from Jamille Matt and Antoine Semenyo, with Ade Azeez scoring a late penalty to pull back a consolation goal for United.
The U’s made two changes to the starting line-up from their win over Notts County, with Liam O’Neil and Emmanuel Osadebe stepping into the side in place of David Amoo and Jabo Ibehre.
Ade Azeez was gifted an early opening when a Newport clearance ricocheted off Osadebe and into the path of the striker behind the Exiles back four, however the deflection caused the ball to spin off his boot as his touch allowed Nick Townsend in the Newport goal to pounce on the loose ball.
Dimitar Mitov was called into action inside ten minutes too, as he reacted well to Jamille Matt’s eight yard volley.
However, the U’s keeper could do nothing to stop Padraig Amond’s low drive on 18 minutes after the Exiles striker capitalised on a mistake at the back from United. And he quickly made it two for Newport four minutes later, tucking a side-footed shot beyond the reach of Mitov into the bottom left corner.
The U’s maintained possession for long periods during the remainder of the first half, however were unable to test Townsend in the County goal. In fact it was Mitov who was the busier of the two, with the Bulgarian force to tip Amond’s volley wide of the post to deny the striker his hat-trick.
The visitors increased their lead three minutes after the break, when Jamille Matt climbed highest for Matty Dolan’s deep free kick to loop a header back across goal and beyond Mitov.
George Maris’ long range shot was collected by Townsend at the second attempt, denying Azeez the chance to stab the ball in, and that was close as United came before Newport completed their scoring for the evening.
Substitute Antoine Semenyo out-muscled Brad Halliday before driving into the U’s area at pace and drilling a low shot beyond Mitov with five minutes to play.
Azeez pulled a goal back in the final minute of regular time from the penalty spot after Jake Carroll had been scythed down, however it did little to brighten a frustrating evening for Joe Dunne’s Men.
Cambridge United: Mitov, Halliday, Taft, Darling, Carroll, Deegan (Corr, 57 mins), Maris, O’Neil, Osadebe (Knowles, 81 mins), Lambe (Amoo, 57 mins), Azeez
Newport County: Townsend, Butler, Franks, Dolan (Cooper, 78 mins), Amond, Matt (Semenyo, 68 mins), Bakinson, Sheehan (Marsh-Brown, 68 mins), Bennett, Forbes, Demetriou
Attendance: 1,618 (101)
Man of the Match: George Maris