TEENAGERS Antoine Semenyo and Mark Harris were both on target as Newport County AFC eased to a 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle to progress to the second round of the Checkatrade Trophy.

County hadn’t made it over the first hurdle in this much-maligned competition since reaching the southern area semi-finals in 2013.

And just under 900 home fans turned out at Rodney Parade to see their side claim £10,000 in prize money and an away tie in Friday’s draw as they finished second behind Chelsea under-21s in Southern Group C.

The 63 Pilgrims supporters who made the journey from Devon knew their side couldn’t qualify and, after a bright start from their side, it turned out to be a miserable evening for the hardy group in the corner of the Bisley Stand.

Exiles boss Michael Flynn made five changes from Saturday’s FA Cup win over the Metropolitan Police with goal scorers Padraig Amond and Jamille Matt dropping to the bench along with goalkeeper Joe Day, while Mickey Demetriou and Matty Dolan were not involved at all.

In came Nick Townsend in goal, Mark O'Brien in defence, Scot Bennett in midfield and Harris and Semenyo up front.

Plymouth manager Derek Adams made 11 changes from their weekend FA Cup win.

There were three debuts and six second-year apprentices were named in the squad, two in the starting line-up.

County also named academy players Tom Hillman and Owen Taylor on the bench and no doubt both sides were eager to avoid a penalty shootout on a school night.

Ryan Law, Adam Randell and Michael Peck were all making their debuts in the makeshift starting XI for the visitors but they were on the front foot early on.

Experienced striker Ryan Taylor headed onto the roof of the net from a corner and Gregg Wylde almost scored with a spectacular strike from more than 30 yards that beat Townsend but smacked the upright and bounced away to safety.

That was a big let-off for Flynn’s men, who were again a little slow out of the blocks.

They gradually began to make inroads at the other end, however, with wing-backs Dan Butler and Robbie Willmott the main attacking threats.

Butler blazed a glorious chance over the bar from close range after a tempting free-kick from Willmott midway through the first half.

Harris then beat two men before firing into the side netting and it was no surprise when Semenyo broke the deadlock 10 minutes before the break.

The 18-year-old had already blasted one effort over the bar and another across the face of goal to earn a rebuke from his manager on the sidelines.

But it was third time lucky for the striker on loan from Bristol City as he dispossessed Peck and twisted and turned in the box before lashing the ball past Kyle Letheren in the Plymouth goal.

And it was 2-0 on the stroke of half-time as Willmott sent in a perfect cross from the right for Harris to head past Letheren from close range.

South Wales Argus:

The only negative from the first half was the injury that forced Bennett off, with Charlie Cooper called into action to fill the gap in midfield.

Butler went close again soon after the break as he climbed high to meet David Pipe’s cross but and his header cleared the bar by inches.

O’Brien should have done better with another header from another expertly-delivered Willmott corner.

And Bakinson was denied by a block on the line before he was replaced by Hillman for the closing stages.

Fellow academy star Owen Taylor also got a run out as County comfortably saw out the game to prolong their interest in the competition, despite Wylde again rattling the woodwork at the death.

County: Townsend; Pipe, O’Brien, Franks; Willmott (Taylor, 85), Bennett (Cooper, 29), Bakinson (Hillman, 77), Butler; Sheehan; Harris, Semenyo

Subs not used: Day, Amond, Matt

Referee: Brett Huxtable

Attendance: 962 (63 Plymouth)

Argus star man: Willmott