AS far as birthday presents go, Shawn McCoulsky gifted himself one he’ll never forget.
Just a day after turning 21, the on-loan forward leaped highest in the dying embers to complete a remarkable comeback and send Newport into the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in almost 40 years.
It got worse for Leeds with Samuel Saiz shown a straight red card after being accused of spitting at his opponent.
There was 53 places between the two sides before kick-off and it looked like going only one way when Leeds’ Gaetano Berardi produced his own FA Cup miracle.
The 29-year-old defender had gone 246 appearances over three different clubs without scoring until his ninth minute strike sent the travelling fans into raptures.
Berardi received a yellow card for his troubles after celebrating with the Leeds faithful but it would have been the last thing on his mind.
The Championship side made nine changes to the side from their last outing hinting that the priorities lie in promotion to the promised land.
With a pitch scattered with scuffs caused by the Dragons’ rugby team and a stadium packed with hopeful home fans, it had all the makings of a cup upset on the cards.
But whatever hope they had going into the contest, it took a major dent in the opening minutes.
Berardi found space and rifled a low drive from 30-yards which ran through a crowd of players and wrong-footed keeper Joe Day.
The Welsh side had their chances to draw level in the first half and should have done so five minutes after the opening goal, when Amond’s shot was cleared off the line.
Captain Joss Labadie should have scored when his header was straight at keeper Andy Lonergan.
Leeds started the second half with more threat but were made to pay for failing to score their second.
Frank Nouble’s cross was flicked on by Amond which youngster Conor Shaughnessy could only slice into his own net.
The equaliser was deserved but nobody could have scripted the 89th minute when McCoulsky’s header sparked a mass pitch invasion on the full-time whistle.
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