AFC Wimbledon beat Newport County 5-4 on penalties in the first round of the League Cup, needing a stoppage-time equaliser from substitute Callum Maycock to force a shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in front of 3,393 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Newport, of League Two, had the first big chance to settle it from twelve yards: awarded a penalty in the 67th minute, Shaquille Gwengwe saw his effort saved by Wimbledon goalkeeper Nathan Bishop. The miss cost them nothing: three minutes later Yahya Bamba put the visitors ahead.
League One hosts Wimbledon, who held 61% of possession over the 90 minutes, found their leveller deep into stoppage time. Maycock, sent on for Zack Nelson in the 65th minute, scored in the 96th to take the tie to penalties.
Newport shot first in every round of the shoot-out and led throughout it: Gerard Garner, Cameron Norman, Ciarán Brennan and Harrison Biggins each converted to put four penalties away, matched by Wimbledon's Marcus Browne, Jayden Stockley, James Tilley and Myles Hippolyte. With the shoot-out level at 4-4 after four rounds, Newport substitute Matt Smith, introduced in the 85th minute, had his penalty saved, and Steve Seddon scored the winning kick for Wimbledon.