NEWPORT COUNTY 1
BRAINTREE TOWN 0
FA Cup round one replay

Braintree Town were unable to write their place in the club’s history books as their bid to make it into the FA Cup’s second round fell just short in Wales.
 

The Iron put up a brave fight against League Two Newport County, but a goal just before half-time proved enough to send the Welsh side through to face Kidderminster Harriers in the next round.
 

Braintree made three changes to the starting line-up from their Skrill Premier defeat at Alfreton on Saturday.
 

Sam Habergham replaced Newman Carney after recovering from an ankle problem, while Matt Paine, who had been rested at the weekend, came in for the unavailable Exodus Geohaghon and Sean Marks had got better after an illness so Liam Enver-Marum dropped to the bench.
 

Among the crowd of 1,406 were 14 travelling fans and while they may have been small in number, they made themselves heard among a vocal home support.
 

It was close throughout the opening 45 minutes, but the hosts’ vital breakthrough came just before the break.
 

Having had a chance to clear the ball, the Iron gave away a soft free-kick to the left of the box and Robbie Willmott curled a shot past Nik Hamann in the visitors’ goal.
 

And despite Braintree’s positive efforts after the break, the hosts soaked up the pressure and were able to hold on to their lead at the end.