Middlesbrough have been knocked out of the FA Cup as Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel was conspicuously missing for the Championship club.
It is Newport who have now set up an FA Cup money-spinner against Manchester City having stunned Middlesbrough 2-0 in their fourth-round replay.
Robbie Willmott and Padraig Amond were the heroes as Sky Bet League Two minnows County – the lowest-ranked side in the last 16 – bridged a gap of 57 places between them and Championship side Middlesbrough on the league ladder.
It was a thoroughly miserable evening for Tony Pulis, who was brought up just a few miles away from Rodney Parade.
But the Boro boss can have no complaints as his side were second best in every department in joining a recent list of Rodney Parade cup casualties that also includes Leeds and Leicester.
Pep Guardiola’s side will provide far sterner opponents on February 16, but even the Premier League champions will not welcome the tight confines of this ground and the fervent atmosphere that comes with it.
