Newport 1 Tottenham 1 match highlights: Harry Kane rescues Spurs from embarrassing FA Cup exit but League Two side earn replay

HARRY KANE dug Tottenham out of a massive hole by saving them from FA Cup humiliation.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team were just eight minutes away from being dumped out of the competition by former hurler Padraig Amond’s 38th-minute header for League Two minnows Newport County.

It would have been one of the biggest shocks in this famous competition’s history.

Amond used to play hurling back in his native Republic of Ireland but almost wrote himself into football folklore when he nodded past Michel Form.

During the first half, the Welsh men won most of the headers, most of the one-on-one battles and looked the most lively to score.

And Tottenham - apart from one Kane effort - had offered nothing going forward.

The Premier League superstars were struggling to cope with the intimidating atmosphere of the small Rodney Parade ground, packed with more than 10,000 fans, and the intensity and energy of the hosts.

But then Pochettino threw on the cavalry from his bench. First he threw on Heung-min Son but Newport held firm.

Then he chucked on Dele Alli and again the Welsh team stood firm. But NO-ONE it seems can stop Kane.

He fired his 30th goal of the season to save Tottenham just as it looked likely they would continue their 27 year wait for the FA Cup trophy.

But that still did not stop the Newport fans singing “We’re Going To Wembley” as ref Roger East blew for full-time. They at least have the consolation of playing what will be their “Wembley Cup final” in a replay.

Spurs had a culture shock when they ran out on to the Rodney Parade turf.

Their League Two opponents share their pitch with two rugby teams and it looked like it too.

Although not exactly the sort of quagmire pitch you would see in classic FA Cup games at lower league clubs in the past, the conditions would have been far different to the silky lush hallowed turf of Wembley.

Newport started well by going straight for the jugular early on and should have taken the lead after just a few minutes.

Eric Dier lost the ball to Joss Labadie and his pass found former West Ham youngster Frank Nouble in acres of space just inside the box. But he scuffed his shot high and wide

Then moments after County skipper Labadie fired a shot from distance straight at Vorm.

The Welsh club were not going to park the bus and it was clear that Tottenham would have to match their opponents’ endeavour before allowing their quality to show.

Tottenham finally had a sniff themselves when Fernando Llorente held up the ball before knocking a pass back to Harry Kane, who fired a shot over the bar.

Hearts were in mouths for Tottenham when Robbie Willmott - after being hacked down by Kieran Trippier - whipped in a free-kick cross-come-shot was held by Vorm

Newport were winning the one-on-one tackles and seemed more up for it than their Premier League opponents.

Kane almost nudged Tottenham in front after Tottenham put together a fine move.

Llorente played in Moussa Sissoko, who then crossed for Kane, who smashed the ball first time and the battle rattled the upright from close range.

Labadie was booked after hacking down Kane. But ironic cheers rung out as the Tottenham ace fired a free-kick over the bar by some distance from 30 yards.

But incredibly Newport stunned Tottenham by moving into a 38th-minute lead.

Ben Tozer launched a long throw into the Tottenham box that was only cleared out to the left flank.

Robbie Willmott crossed brilliantly for Amond to nod past Vorm.

Pochettino opted to make an immediate change at the break, throwing on Heung-min Son for Kyle Walker-Peters.

It was a surprise he did not take off Llorente, who was having a shocker.

Llorente was too slow to get to a good cross from Jan Vertonghen.

Tozer was constantly putting Tottenham under the cosh with some enormous throws and from another monster effort Amond headed over.

Spurs were posing more of a threat after the break and Trippier saw a lovely cross headed just over by Kane from inside the six-yard box. You would normally put your money on Kane to score that.

Newport were struggling to get out of their half but Tottenham were equally finding it hard to break down a resolute defence.

Pochettino knew he was in a real FA Cup battle and decided to throw on Dele Alli for the ineffectual Llorente.

Keeper Joe Day then denied Spurs a certain equaliser.

Alli played on Son - but the South Korean saw his shot destined to the far corner saved by the home keeper.

Juan Foyth then had a potshot from 25 yards but it safely sailed over the bar. Nothing was going right for Spurs.

When Vertonghen took a quick throw to Kane 25-yards out, the striker turned quickly but his snap-shot went wide.

Wales international Ben Davies was the third sub to be thrown on with 11 minutes left and he nearly helped bring Spurs level when his shot was parried.

But Tottenham levelled in the 82nd-minute when Kieran Trippier’s corner was flicked on by Son and there was that man Kane to bundle the ball home.

Spurs showed urgency to get the tie won without the need of a replay and Kane almost did that when he flicked the ball over Mickey Demetriou but his shot was pushed out for a corner.

Then Alli almost got on the end of a Kane cross with a goal certain if he made contact.

But Newport held firm and it is back to Wembley for a replay and another big payday.