Newport stun much-changed Cardiff in EFL Trophy

League Two bottom side Newport County caused a shock in the EFL Trophy as they won at neighbours Cardiff City in the first meeting between the two Welsh clubs for 17 years.

Having made only three changes to their league team as they looked to end an 11-game winless run, County dominated and deservedly took the lead shortly before half-time as Tom Davies headed in from Kai Whitmore's cross.

Cardiff, by contrast, were a pale imitation of the team riding high in League One after making 10 changes, with a mix of fringe and young players, including 16-year-old Rob Tankiewicz, who became the club's youngest player of all time, only for that record to be broken by 15-year-old substitute Axel Donczew in the second half.

The result means Newport and Cardiff have three points each after two games. They conclude the group stage with matches against Exeter City and Arsenal Under-21s respectively.

When these teams last met in 2008, there were four divisions between Cardiff – then of the Championship and three months away from playing in an FA Cup final – and Newport in what was then the Conference South.

They were separated by just one tier on this occasion but whereas Cardiff's wholesale changes illustrated their focus on a promotion bid in League One, Newport's continuity demonstrated how desperate they were for victory, having lost 10 of their previous 11 fixtures in all competitions.

David Hughes' side could have been out of sight by the interval but Nathanial Opoku wasted their best chances; shooting over, hitting the bar and then having a shot blocked by Cardiff goalkeeper Matthew Turner when he was clean through on goal.

Davies' header at the back post from Whitmore's fine cross spared Opoku's blushes and, although their opponents carried more of a threat in the second half, the Exiles were good value for their victory and ensured that their 1,500 or so away fans had a short and happy trip home.