Goals from Nouha Dicko and Benik Afobe have given Wolverhampton Wanderers a place in the second round of the League Cup after they survived an early scare to beat Newport County 2-1 at Molineux.
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A sloppy start from the hosts invited pressure from Newport, who took a surprise early lead when Scott Boden somehow managed to find the space to send home a free header from just a few yards out.
However, Wolves were sparked into action by the lively Sheyi Ojo, who watched a free kick force Joe Day into a fine save before creating an equaliser for Dicko as the striker converted an inviting cross.
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Kenny Jackett's side quickly improved after the equaliser, but a chance to take the lead midway through the first half was wasted as Afobe fired straight at Day after being released by Conor Coady's clever pass.
Wolves were frustrated in their bid to take a firm grip on the tie either side of the interval until they were gifted the chance to take the lead before the hour mark when Afobe's trickery proved to be too much for Scott Barrow, who brought the striker down with a lazy challenge.
Afobe took on the responsibility from 12 yards and sent Day the wrong way to give the hosts the advantage.
Newport refused to step aside after falling behind, and they were only denied an equaliser by Emiliano Martinez, whose impressive low save left Danny Holmes frustrated.
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It was Wolves who finished the match the stronger of the two sides as Terry Butcher watched his team's challenge quickly faded to allow the Championship outfit to book their place in the next round.
Callum Mulvihill
