Llanwern - 2

Monmouth Town - 1

Monmouth Town's Kingfishers crashed out of the League cup quarter finals with a desperately poor display against second division opponents who simply applied themselves better over the two hours of football.

The Newport Stadium based outfit passed up on many opportunities to increase the score, with some woeful finishing throughout, but at least they had chances to miss, such was the bleakness of Monmouth's display on a day to forget for the Welsh League Champions.

The game itself was a rather workmanlike affair with both sides playing slow methodical passes with little invention on show. That which did exist came from the boys in blue but although Blackburn was the busier of the two keepers, most of his work was routine.

Undeservedly, but happily for the majority of the crowd, the visitors took the lead when a corner was smashed against the bar in the 40th minute and Sam Hunt finished through a thicket of players.

The second half was singularly forgettable with few clear cut chances created by Monmouth but a few for Llanwern that were either snatched at or hit high and wide. Just as it seemed Monmouth would progress to the semi finals the assist referee intervened waving to signal that Sam Palmer had intercepted a shot with his arm just as the referee who had a much better view waved play on. The assistant's flag won the day and as the penalty was converted the by now freezing crowd were subjected to a further half hour of pretty turgid stuff.

Inexplicably Town were handed a lifeline in the second period of extra time when a Llanwern defender was shown his marching orders for a poor challenge that in other days would have warranted a warning and in another era a compliment or two.

Even with a one man advantage Monmouth could create every little and they conceded a corner with barely two minutes remaining.

What appeared to most in the ground to be a blatant foul on 'keeper Blackburn as he gathered the ball from a corner (pictured) drew no response from the officials as the keeper and the ball were bundled into the back of the back net and winning goal was allowed to stand. Blackburn was booked for his protests.

Monmouth return to league action looking so salvage something from a wretched period of games with the visit of Pontardawe Town to Pen-y-Pound Stadium this Saturday with a 2pm kick off.