Argyle 0 Newport 0: Match report

WHEN requesting a bit of magic or romance in the Emirates FA Cup, Argyle found the rabbit refusing to exit the hat, and that someone had eaten all the chocolates before they had been given to the hot date.

Despite Newport having Sean Rigg sent off, the Pilgrims could not make their one-man advantage, which they held for three-quarters of the game, pay.

In fact, Argyle were actually superb until Rigg's indiscretion, and then summarily failed to spark at all once the numbers were made uneven. Newport threatened occasionally on the break, but likely would have taken the result before their arrival at Home Park, and were likely giddy with it after losing Rigg so early.

Argyle manager Derek Adams was without Nauris Bulvitis and Arnold Garita for the cup tie, along with Jordan Slew serving a suspension following his sending off a week prior, at Morecambe. A mounting injury list meant Argyle's bench was populated by teenagers Jordan Bentley, Alex Fletcher and Billy Palfrey. The entire bench had just 30 appearances for Argyle between them - and 19 of those were Ryan Donaldson's.