AFC Wimbledon progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup after a late equaliser and penalty shoot-out success against Newport County. The Dons came from behind to force a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, with Nathan Bishop saving from Newport midfielder Matt Smith and Steve Seddon holding his nerve to put the Dons through in London. The Exiles, who survived League Two relegation on the final day of 2025-26, looked like they would upset their League One hosts in normal time after summer signing Yahya Bamba came off the left wing and curled in a superb shot from outside the area. His 71st-minute opener was cancelled out in stoppage time when substitute Callum Maycock thumped in a volley to force penalties. Wimbledon triumphed from the spot to harshly deny Newport manager Hayden Mullins a winning start after he left his role as boss of Fulham's Under-21s at the end of July to replace Christian Fuchs. The only clear chance of a low-key first half fell to Aron Sasu, who was denied by Jordan Wright at his near post after meeting James Tilley's cross. Dons goalkeeper Bishop spread himself to keep out Lee Jenkins' shot from close range early in the second half and then saved from Shaquille Gwengwe's driven penalty with his left foot in the 68th minute. The striker was denied a goal on debut, but fellow new boy Bamba ensured Newport responded swiftly to get their noses in front, only for Maycock to level with a powerful volley in the seventh minute of nine added on. The Dons are currently 19th in League One, with 53 points from 46 games, and have scored 51 goals this season, conceding 72. They are 50 points behind leaders Lincoln and have a recent form of 1W-0D-1L. Their next fixture is against Wigan at home on August 29.