JOHNNIE Jackson hailed Nathan Bishop after the goalkeeper produced the decisive save in the penalty shootout to help AFC Wimbledon past Newport County 5-4 in the EFL Cup at Plough Lane.
Newport, who only survived relegation to the National League on the final day of last season, led until the 97th minute after Yahya Bamba scored with nineteen minutes left.
Newport were denied an upset when Callum Maycock levelled to set it up for Bishop to be the hero.
After eight successful kicks, Bishop saved from Newport midfielder Matt Smith before Steve Seddon sent the Dons through to the second round.
“I think it was important to get Bish a game today because he missed the period in pre-season,” Jackson said on the Dons’ website. “He’s got a few weeks now and obviously, he needs to get up to speed with match minutes and to give him an opportunity of competing with Joe [McDonnell]. So it was great for him to get through the game and feel good.
“He had some great moments as well. He makes a really good save in open play. He makes a great save from the penalty and then obviously, he makes the all-important one in the shootout as well.
So, it was a good day for him.”
Jackson added: ”Credit to Newport County, they were a really tough opposition. They came here and really took the game to us and made us suffer in moments.
“Just to come through it is really pleasing because we weren’t at our best, for sure. We had to really dig in and we had to find a little bit of spirit and character as the game went on. It looked like it might get away from us, but in the end, we got there.
“Some real positive impact from the bench to help us get control of the game, which I didn’t feel we had for much of it. But certainly that last period, I think we wrestled control of it. It was in the ascendancy and they’re trying to hang on, obviously, and then we get the goal that allows it to go to penalties.
“From there anything can happen, really. But five of the lads have stepped up and took really good penalties and that’s important. And obviously, Bish has made a save, like he did in the 90 minutes as well. So, in the crucial moments, the boys have come through.”
