Blackburn 1 Newcastle 1 (3-4 on pens): Toon survive huge scare to progress in FA Cup and keep trophy dream alive

9 months ago 88

KEEPER Martin Dubravka was Newcastle’s both before and during a penalty shootout as they edged out unlucky Blackburn in an FA Cup thriller.

Anthony Gordon’s 71st minute opener for the Toon had deservedly been cancelled out by Sammie Szmodics.

Newcastle huddled round as they went through on spot-kicks[/caption]

But the two stoppers were the stars as an epic tie then went to extra time and then spot-kicks.

Szmodics saw his shootout kick saved by Dubravka, only for Rovers counterpart Aynsley Pears to immediately foil Harvey Barnes.

And Dubravka then thwarted Dominic Hyam from the tenth and final shootout kick to put Newcastle into the quarter-finals

Newcastle showed their relief as they celebrated wildly as they are desperate for a trophy after slipping to 10th in the Prem.

But 16th-placed Championship side Blackburn gave as good as they got – before their shootout agony.

Niall Ennis and Co hail Sammie Szmodics’ 79th minute leveller for Blackburn[/caption]

Anthony Gordon celebrates his Newcastle opener[/caption]