NEWPORT County booked their place in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup thanks to two goals from Martin Paul (pictured) as manager Tim Harris defended the player after his recent run of poor form, writes Ryland James.

Paul's strikes in the 34th and 40th minutes helped Newport to a 3-1 home win over Swindon Supermarine last night, but Paul admitted he celebrated too soon when his shot late in the game beat the goalkeeper but was kept out by a post.

Punching the air with delight, the former Bath City player could only watch as his shot rebounded, but after making his first County start after recent poor form, he could be excused for his obvious delight.

He said: "I'm not usually given to celebrating so prematurely and I thought it was going in, but I suppose it serves me right."

Having been left out of the side since last month's Chelmsford City game, Paul said he had not let pressure from the fans get to him, but he was delighted with his two goals.

County now stand to make at least £10,000 from their FA Cup participation, £7,500 coming from beating the Wiltshire side, plus gate-receipts, with more to come from their third qualifying FA Cup match on Saturday, October 13 against the winners of tonight's Andover against Bashley match.

Manager Tim Harris described last night's dismissal of Swindon Supermarine as a 'job well done', but also jumped to Paul's defence in the wake of recent criticism. He said: "Three or four weeks ago people were giving him the biggest load of abuse I have heard in my life and telling him he should go back to Bath City, just because he had a bad game (against Chelmsford City).

"He has been out of the side, acted totally professionally and worked hard to prove people wrong."