Presence to wrap up Leeds upset for County
was complete when Samuel Saiz was sent off for spitting in stoppage-time.
“It was a brilliant feeling to get that goal,” said McCoulksy. “The gaffer told me to go on and try to effect the game as much as I could. It was my birthday on Saturday, so this was a belated present to myself.
“I can’t remember much about the goal, but it is one of the best I’ve ever scored. To kick Leeds out of the FA Cup is what dreams are made of. Now we’d like one of the big teams – a Manchester United or Chelsea.” Christiansen refused to accept his tinkering and a team selection with an average age of just 23 had cost his side.
“We expected more and even though I made changes it should have been enough to pass through to the fourth round,” he said. “Against Burnley, I made 10 changes and it was the perfect performance.
“Against Leicester I made 10 changes and we did very well, so why not today? They know what the FA Cup means. If they don’t know what it means they aren’t in the right job.” Christiansen claimed he had not seen the spitting incident involving Saiz but defended his player.
“If it is right why he got the red card it’s a problem but I believe that he didn’t do it,” he said.
McCoulsky began his career at Dulwich Hamlet and has already taken in Walton Casuals, Weston-super-Mare, Torquay and Bath City.
It was his energy after coming on as a 69th-minute substitute that helped turn the game around after County had missed a host of chances. Leeds had led for over an hour thanks to their goal from Berardi, the Swiss midfielder’s first in professional football.
But Newport deservedly drew level when Shaughnessy turned a cross from Frank Nouble into his own goal in the 76th minute.
It was McCoulsky’s presence that caused the mistake and the striker then clinched victory with his powerful header with seconds remaining. Newport manager Michael Flynn said: “It was an outstanding header – just look at the leap on him, he was hungry and wanted the ball. They made a lot of changes for this game, but they still had a lot of quality players out there earning good money.”
NEWPORT Sent off: Referee: (4-4-2): Goals: (4-3-1-2): Booked: