Neither side could breach the opposition's defence

Non-league Newport fired Division Two high-fliers Cardiff out of the FAW Premier Cup semi-final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Spytty Park.

It continued Peter Nicholas' side's giant-killing acts after they defeated struggling Division Three side Swansea in the last round.

Newport had the better of the 120 minutes play and looked more confident throughout the penalty shoot-out.

Mike Fowler, Gary Shephard, Matt Rose and Richard French stroked home their spot kicks, but youngsters Stuart Fleetwood and Andy Jordon missed nervous strikes for the visitors.

Newport will face the winners of the Rhyl v Wrexham semi-final to be played on Monday, 14 April.

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In a tense opening half, Cardiff's second-string side looked short of competitive practice and struggled to get to grips with a passionate home performance.

It took until the 31st minute to see the first real chance of the game, Newport's prolific front man Shephard breaking clear from the defence only to be denied by a fine save from Martin Margetson.

Shephard went close three minutes later, but was adjudged offside. With the Bluebirds offering little but an unimaginative long-ball game, the half ended scoreless.

Our penalty takers were brave, the young lads were superb Newport's Jason Perry

The home side increased the pressure in the second period. A 55th minute corner was scrambled away by the Cardiff defence, but Shephard volleyed back in and former Bluebirds favourite Jeff Eckhardt just failed to direct the snap header.

It was Shephard again who went close five minutes later, but his shot was fired wide of Margetson's post.

Newport's energy did not prove enough to secure the breakthrough, though, leading the tie into a nervous extra time.

Cardiff blew the first chance of the added half hour, Leo Fortune-West looking startled in a mad scramble in the Newport box and failing to fire a gilt-edged chance past Gareth Wesson.

Both sides looked too nervous to go out and win the game and the match inevitably went down to the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

After a delay for the home officials to paint in the penalty spot, it proved agony for Fleetwood and Jordon who struck bar and post respectively.

Newport's former Cardiff favourite Jason Perry commented: "It's great for Newport and for the fans.

"Our penalty takers were brave, the young lads were superb. We deserved the win."

Newport: G Wesson, C Collins, S Benton, A Thomas, J Perry, J Eckhardt, M Rose (capt), M Fowler, N Davis, G Shephard, N Davies.

Cardiff: M Margetson, G Jones (capt), J Collins, A Jordan, M Giles, D Hamilton, L Fowler, M Parkins, J Bowen, L Fortune-West, G Gordon.

Ref: Steve Hames (Aberdare)

Att: 1,160