Charles Sagoe’s late winner saw Arsenal Under-21s start their EFL Trophy campaign with victory at Newport County.
The hosts looked to be on their way to finding some relief from their League Two struggles when Ben Lloyd struck after just two minutes.
But in the second half Arsenal were awarded two penalties in quick succession, Andre Harriman-Annous seeing his first effort saved but making no mistake with the second to level, before Sagoe broke Newport hearts.
Newport manager David Hughes kept four of the side that started Saturday’s 3-1 League Two defeat at home to Gillingham, with Habeeb Ogunneye, Sammy Braybrooke, Michael Reindorf and Bobby Kamwa getting another run-out.
The home side made a perfect quick-fire start when Braybrooke teed up Lloyd to find the bottom left corner.
The Arsenal youngsters almost conjured an immediate reply, with home goalkeeper Jordan Wright saving from Harriman-Annous on the line to protect the lead into half-time.
When Jaden Warner brought down Harriman-Annous in the Exiles penalty area soon after the restart, Wright again shone to save the spot kick by the Arsenal forward
But Harriman-Annous got a second bite at the cherry just four minutes later when he was again brought down – Ogunneye the player penalised on this occasion – and this time held his nerve to convert.
County had the ball in the net as the game moved into the last quarter, but celebrations were cut short with Kamwa judged to have fouled goalkeeper Tommy Setford.
With a penalty shootout seemingly in the offing to decide the tie, former Swansea City loanee Sagoe tucked the ball away from close range after a corner to give Arsenal victory.
After the opening round of matches, the young Gunners sit top of Southern Group A just above Cardiff City on goals scored, with Newport and Exeter City the winless sides.
