Shawn McCoulsky celebrated his 21st birthday with a magnificent FA Cup winner for Newport County against former trophy winners Leeds United.
Almost 8,000 fans were at Rodney Parade and McCoulsky jumped above Leeds defenders to power in a headed winner.
“What a brilliant feeling,” McCoulsky told BBC Sport. “The gaffer told me to go on and make a difference.
“I can’t remember much about the goal, but it’s one of the best I’ve ever scored. It’s what dreams are made of.
“It was my birthday yesterday and now I can celebrate a little.
“We’d love any big team in the next round. Manchester United, Chelsea. Anybody to be honest.”
Leeds had Sam Saiz sent off, accused of spitting, when League Two County were in front, having hit back from 1-0 down to beat their visitors for another huge occasion in the South Wales city.
At the end of last season Newport completed the great escape, avoiding relegation after looking doomed earlier in the campaign.
“This win against Leeds is much better,” said ecstatic manager Michael Flynn, who was supported by former Cardiff City manager Lennie Lawrence in the technical area.
“We don’t want to be trying to avoid relegation, we want to by winning cup ties like this. We were the better team in the first half.
“Leeds took the lead, but we had half chances, we kept battling and kept our composure.
“It was an outstanding header by McCoulsky, his 11th goal of the season. What a leap he has on him!”
Former Cardiff City and Newport player Nathan Blake was on the BBC commentary team along with Danny Gabbidon, who was in the Bluebirds team who defeated Leeds in that famous FA Cup tie at Ninian Park 15 years ago.
“What a superb result,” said Blake. “Newport players kept going and going. What a leap by McCoulsky! He was like a salmon. Hunger, desire. He wanted it more than anybody else and was as high as the crossbar when he headed the ball.”
County kept the same starting line-up they had for their 2-1 win against Exeter in the League and joined Swansea and Cardiff in the fourth round draw, which is being made on Monday evening.
They set up 4-3-1-1 with Scott Bennett playing a holding role in midfield, while Joss Labadie played the number 10 role.
Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen made nine changes to his starting line-up with only Gaetano Berardi and Kalvin Phillips keeping their places from the team lined up against Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day.
Leeds are 53 places above Newport in the Football League and the visitors went ahead when Gaetano Berardi scored from a curling low shot from 25 yards which deceived goalkeeper Joe Day.
Newport equalised 14 minutes from time. There was a terrific atmosphere at Rodney Parade and Newport underlined how far they have progressed since last season when Frank Nouble produced good work down the right and whipped in a low cross. The ball flicked on and deflected off Conor Shaughnessy’s shin and into goal to make it 1-1.
Then came that McCoulsky moment. He has extended his loan from Bristol City until the end of this season and marked that decision with a winning goal he will surely never forget.
He was booked for over-celebrating, but said: “It was worth it.”
Leeds United’s Spanish player Sam Saiz was sent off soon after County’s winner, dismissed for an accusation of spitting towards Newport’s man of the match Robbie Willmott.
Newport County: Day, Pipe, White, S Bennett, M Bennett, Butler, Labadie, Willmott (O’Brien 90), Dolan (McCoulsky 68), Nouble, Amond (Hayes 88). Subs not used: Bittner, Tozer, Reid, Sheehan.
Leeds United team v Newport: Lonergan, Borthwick-Jackson (Cooper 60), Shaughnessy, Berardi, Anita, Phillips, Klich, Cibicki, Sacko, Grot (Saiz 73), Lasogga. Subs: Peacock-Farrell, Kitching, Pearce, Rey, Clarke.
Referee: Mike Dean.
Swansea City defender Tyler Reid, 20, has joined Newport on loan until the end of the season.
Right-back Reid has made 54 appearances for the Swans’ under-23 team.
