Newport 2 Middlesbrough 0

League Two team Newport County looked like the higher division team throughout the fourth round replay and deservedly set up a home date with Premier League champions Manchester City later this month.

Boro should have been behind before half-time and were left indebted to some poor finishing and decent goalkeeping from Dimi Konstantopoulos after heading into the break goalless.

But then the excellent Robbie Willmott’s opener two minutes into the second half was followed by a second from former Hartlepool United striker Padraig Amond and Middlesbrough didn’t find anyway back.

Newport adjusted to the soaking wet conditions and a muddy surface that has 40 rugby matches played on it over the course of the year too – and left Pulis wondering what had hit his team.

Pulis said: “The whole occasion got to us, the first half I thought they completely and utterly run over us. They dominated us in every respect. They scored a good goal, deserved to be winning at half-time.

“One of our players switched off for the second goal. It was a bad night really but I don’t want to take anything away from Newport.

“We have the best points tally from an away team in the Championship this year, the majority of away games we have been very good. Today was a different challenge, the conditions, and we didn’t cope with it, it’s as simple as that.”

What made the performance more galling for Pulis was how Middlesbrough went to promotion chasers West Brom on Saturday and won 3-2, and then by following that up with a defeat to the Exiles left him cringing.

The focus now turns to Saturday’s visit of Leeds United and he has to check on the fitness of strikers Britt Assombalonga and Jordan Hugill who were both forced off in the second half with hamstring problems. George Saville was also left out late because of an ankle problem.

Pulis added: “I came here to be strong, to give us a chance, we played with two up front for the whole 90 minutes but it wasn’t to be. They deserve a lot of credit.

“Championship football is a bit different than what we encountered. I hope it doesn’t affect us for Saturday. Like I say, this is a great result for the town, Newport, and everyone else, it shouldn’t be a surprise to the players because they have done also it to a Premier League team.

“I am not concerned whether we wanted it enough tonight because Newport were better than us and that is what matters.

“You can make excuses, I could stand here and talk about the delay (Boro’s morning flight was delayed), wind, rain, pitch, but they get paid good money to play a game of football.

“The disappointing thing is, if we had been milky away from home this season, or not turned up away then I could understand it. They have been brilliant away from home.

“I am desperately disappointed for the club, but you have to give them credit. Pep Guardiola will be hoping and praying the conditions are not like this when they turn up.”

Newport manager Michael Flynn, who grew up just a few streets away from Pulis in the Pill area of the South Wales port, could not hide his delight after watching his team set up the City date.

Flynn said: “I am the proudest man in Newport tonight. I thought we were superb. They never cease to amaze me one way or the other.

“It’s not about Michael Flynn, I had to rest a few players on Saturday because I knew the conditions would be tough here against Middlesbrough.

“But this is huge for this football club. It’s not about my win ratio, three points against Grimsby on Saturday, but you get criticised. I will always back myself and I did it for the right reasons and this was about securing the club’s future and it’s absolutely massive.

“I knew what Tony would say, he is professional and I have utmost respect for him. The job people like Tony Pulis has done throughout their careers has been fantastic. He put out a strong side and I can only prepare my team and that’s what we did.”