Bowles blow hits Magpies

9:00am Wednesday 1st October 2008

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DEFENDER Gary Bowles has been ruled out of tonight's FA Cup second qualifying round replay at Newport County (7.45pm).

The 19-year-old was absent from Saturday's 2-2 draw at the Jewson Stadium, where the Magpies lost a two-goal lead to set up tonight's replay in Wales, and is expected to be sidelined with the same achilles problem.

Despite the blow of losing Bowles once again, Mark Jermyn, who made a dramatic return to the county town line-up on Saturday following a knee injury, is in contention while Wes Fogden yesterday completed his move to Dorchester by signing a contract until the end of next season, which includes a sell-on clause for Brighton.

Manager Shaun Brooks said: "Gary's still struggling and hasn't trained so he won't be involved. Mark's a bit stiff after Saturday because we did rush him back. But we knew what we'd get from him and he'll be okay for tonight.

"It's a case of just trying to build his games up. For 60 minutes on Saturday he was terrific and gave the team energy and aggression - it was good to have him back.

"Mitchell Nicholson is also available again but is short of match fitness."

Twenty-one goals have been shared in three meetings between the two strugglers but neither team has won in 90 minutes, with Newport's victory in the Setanta Shield coming after extra-time.

Both sides have only won once this season in Blue Square South but seven weeks have passed since Dorchester experienced their single success.

Brooks though, saw enough in Saturday's first half display to suggest that elusive win could come this evening.

He added: "The first half was great, we got lots of balls into the box but too many were landing on the heads of their defenders so we need to make sure we get first contact and put pressure on them in the area.

"Newport will feel like they've been given a second chance so we need to be solid, not give anything away and try to silence their crowd.

"We've got more than enough quality in the side to go there and be confident."

The winner of tonight's clash will be rewarded with a home tie in the next round against Gosport Borough of BGB Division One South & West after they beat Spartan South Midlands Premier Division side Aylesbury Vale 4-0 last night in their second qualifying round replay.

Of the potential meeting with Gosport on October 11 in the third qualifying round, Brooks said: "It's a home tie, which is good, but first things first we need to go to Newport and get through."

Former Weymouth man Ashley Vickers will once again lead the Exiles tonight, alongside fellow ex-Terra Justyn Roberts, at the heart of Newport's defence.