DORCHESTER Town's dream of emulating Havant and Waterlooville's FA Cup run is alive and kicking after the Magpies produced a superb fightback to stun Newport County.

Shaun Brooks' men trailed at half-time to a seemingly much improved New-port, but their drive and desire in the second half shone through as they snatched a late victory.

Winger Nick Crittenden, criminally overlooked for the man of the match award in Saturday's 2-2 draw at the Jewson Stadium, was the hero, giving Newport left-back Martyn Giles twisted blood with his break-neck charges down the right.

He was a constant thorn in Newport's side and proved his class by scoring both goals for the Magpies as they stunned the hosts.

With a home tie against Gosport Borough up for grabs, the stakes could hardly have been higher for either club at an anxious Newport Stadium.

It was somewhat surprising then, that both managers opted to rotate their squads, leaving out senior players.

Magpies' boss Brooks omitted winger Jamie Gleeson and striker Jamie Mudge, news that no doubt pleased County boss Dean Holdsworth as both were impressive on Saturday.

Holdsworth's post-match optimism almost proved founded inside the opening six minutes, Rob Duffy's cute header creating a shooting chance for Craig Reid, but he fired just wide from 25-yards out, before Danny Rose followed suit, hammering a right-footed effort well over the bar.

The previous three encounters this term between the two sides yielded 21 goals, but it was clear the visitors were set-up to do more of a containing job this time around, fielding a 4-5-1 formation.

However, County enjoyed the greater possession in the first period and former Manchester United reserve skipper Rose was a constant threat, forcing a smart save from Gareth Stewart after Craig Hughes' flick-on, before Tom Mitchell sliced a half-chance for the Magpies with Patrece Liburd also close with a header.

The football on offer was so stale that a moment of inspiration was needed to break the deadlock, or to follow the cliché, a mistake.

Newport received the latter on 40 minutes when Kevin Hill uncharacteristically missed his kick and put Hughes clear. Hughes' shot was parried by Stewart into the path of Reid who expertly planted a looping header into the net from the edge of the area.

Dorchester increased their tempo at the start of the second half, but it was not until the 58th minute that they fashioned a clear chance, Crittenden's beautiful teasing cross just evading Ryan Moss at the far post.

County were content to sit tight and look to catch the visitors on the break, inviting trouble that quickly arrived.

Just beyond the hour Crittenden collected on the right, cut inside and unleashed a shot across goal that bobbled over Glyn Thompson's despairing dive.

The goal sparked some life into the hosts and they were quickly on the attack, but Rose wasted Hughes' penetrating run, firing over unmarked.

In the first half it appeared both sides were more concerned with not losing than with looking to control the game, but the latter stages were far better with both sides creating opportunities.

Dorchester sensed the game was there for the taking with County increasingly hesitant and substitute Mudge forced Thompson to save.

Newport's rare forays forward were merely papering over the cracks with the Exiles' defence increasingly splintered and Dorchester deservedly took the lead with eight minutes remaining.

Crittenden's penetrating run culminated in a powerful effort across Thompson into the bottom corner of the net, sending the small group of travelling supporters into raptures.