Harriers 4, Newport 2

MAGNIFICENT Harriers out played League Two Newport County to power into the third round of the FA Cup.

The Skrill Premier high-flyers comprehensively outplayed the side from a level above to put themselves in the hat for tomorrow's draw.

Steve Burr's heroes produced their best display of the season as braces for man of the match Michael Gash and Callum Gittings put the Welsh side to the sword.

Harriers had taken a deserved 4-0 lead before Robbie Willmott's brace the game look closer than it actually was.

The Carpetmen will be hoping to be drawn against a Premier League giant in round three.

It was the visitors who started the brighter and Danny Crow saw an overhead kick nestle in the top netting.

Connor Washington spurned a glorious chance to fire the away side ahead in the fourth minute.

The hitman pounced on a slip by Chey Dunkley and with keeper Danny Lewis going to ground early, he rolled the effort the wrong side of the post.

But Harriers worked their way into the game and Joe Lolley saw a header saved well by keeper Lenny Pidgeley in the 16th minute.

But Harriers opened the scoring in the 19th, when Gash dribbled past two defenders and the curled a right footed effort past a helpless Pidgeley.

The Welsh side nearly replied instantly but Robbie Willmotts saw his well-taken free-kick curled just wide of the right hand post.

The visitors continued to be profligate and Adam Chapman headed a good effort over the bar in the 25th minute.

Crow then blazed over the bar and Harriers punished their wastefulness in the 28th minute when Gittings bagged his first.

The Pidgeley had done brilliantly to parry Lolley's fine effort but Gittings was on hand to drive home the rebound with help of a deflection.

The midfielder then made it 3-0 in the 44th minute with a devastating counter-attack.

Lolley's lovely slide through pass bisected the defence and Gittings raced from the centre circle to slot the ball past Pidgeley.

County boss Justin Edninburgh took decisive action at the start of the second half, taking  off defensive midfielder Lee Minshull for tricky winger Christian Jolley.

Washington saw an effort deflected behind off the alert Josh Gowling.

The woodwork came to Harriers' rescue in the 50th minute when his 25-yard thunderbolt hit the bar.

But it was Harriers who extended their lead in the 63rd minute.  Kyle Storer was fouled by Tom Naylor. The free-kick was payed to Gash, who arrowed a low effort under the wall as it jumped into bottom left corner.

Newport were so stunned by the goal they struggled to get back into the game but two goals in four minutes for Willmott ensured a nervous end to the match.

First, he saw an effort ricochet off the post in the 79th minute.  In the 83rd minute, the dangerous wideman headed home at the far post from a Washington cross.

But Harriers continued to look dangerous on the break, with Lolley's pace causing Newport a host of headaches.

Harriers ensured no more drama as they booked their place in the third round of the cup for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

Harriers: Lewis, Vaughan, Storer, Dunkley, Fowler, Gash, Jackman, Gittings, Lolley, Morgan-Smith (Johnson, 70), Gowling.  Subs not used: Demetriou, Byrne, Malbon, Blissett, Dance, N Vaughan.

Newport: Pidgeley, Hughes, Chapman, Minshull (Jolley, 46), Crow (Sandell, 64), Willmott, Washington, Jackson, Naylor, Oshilaja (Flynn, 66), Worley.

Subs not used: Stephens, Pipe, Jones, Barker.

Referee: Mark Heywood (Cheshire).

Attendance: 2636 (537)