NEWPORT County are through to the second round of the Leasing.com Trophy after finishing as runners-up in Southern Group E.

Two goals from Joel Randall and one from Jordan Tillson earned Exeter City a 3-1 win over West Ham United undre-21s at St James Park last night and that result ensured that the young Hammers couldn’t overtake County.

Former Crystal Palace forward Clinton Morrison and ex-England midfielder Sue Smith will conduct the second-round draw this weekend, live on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday from 2pm.

County are one of 32 clubs remaining in the competition with the draw again split into northern and southern sections.

The winner of each group will be drawn at home and will play a runner-up of a group from the same region, but not from the same group they competed in from round one.

To ensure these conditions are met, the northern and southern draws will be split into two separate draws – Draw A and Draw B.

So who could County face in the second round in the first week of December?

There are seven possible opponents for Michael Flynn’s men: Colchester United, Portsmouth, Brighton and Hove Albion U21, Walsall, Bristol Rovers, MK Dons or Peterborough United.

South Wales Argus:

The Exiles have already travelled to Colchester and Walsall in League Two this season, losing 3-1 and drawing 0-0 respectively.

Their last trip to Portsmouth ended in a 2-1 defeat in March 2017 and they were beaten 2-0 at MK Dons in February.

But County fans will have better recent memories of going to Bristol Rovers and Brighton.

John Sheridan’s side enjoyed a superb 4-1 victory at Rovers in October 2015, with Zak Ansah bagging a brace and Tommy O’Sullivan also on target.

And Justin Edinburgh’s team were 3-1 winners at Brighton in the League Cup back in August 2013 thanks to a Danny Crow double and one from Conor Washington (above).

Edinburgh’s men made it to the southern area semi-finals of the Trophy that season, bowing out at home to Peterborough.

County haven’t played The Posh at their London Road home since October 1987, when they were beaten 3-0 in Division Four.

If County are paired with Brighton, there is a possibility that the match could be played at Rodney Parade.

Invited clubs are able to apply for special dispensation to switch the venue to their opponent, but last season all three under 21 sides who won their group hosted the second-round clash.

Tuesday’s incredible 7-4 win at Cheltenham Town earned the club £10,000 in prize money.

And County’s coffers will be further boosted next week as Wednesday’s FA Cup first-round replay against Grimsby Town at Rodney Parade has been selected for live TV coverage by BBC Wales.

As well as the TV broadcast fee, believed to be around £17,000, the winners of Wednesday’s replay will earn £36,000 from the FA prize fund and book a second-round trip to Isthmian League North side Maldon & Tiptree.

Maldon v County or Grimsby will be shown live on BBC Two on Friday, November 29 (kick-off 7.55pm), with each club banking a £75,000 broadcast fee

Winning clubs in the second round will receive £54,000 from the FA prize fund and the chance to draw a Premier League side in the third round in January.

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