LEEDS manager Thomas Christiansen denied he had disrespected the FA Cup by making so many changes as his side crashed out 2-1 at League Two Newport.

Leeds, 53 places higher on the league ladder than Newport, led 1-0 for most of a pulsating third-round tie at Rodney Parade.

But a Conor Shaugnessy own goal and substitute Shawn McCoulsky's towering header edged County into the fourth round for the first time since the 1978-79 season.

A grim afternoon for Leeds – who had nine changes to the starting line-up that featured on New Year's Day against Nottingham Forest – got even worse when Samuel Saiz was sent off in stoppage time, the Spaniard banished after allegedly spitting at home midfielder Robbie Willmott.

"If you look, every player we had in the first XI is from the first team or has possibilities in the first XI," said Christiansen.

"For this we expect more and it should be enough to pass to the next round.

"Against Burnley (in the Carabao Cup) I also made ten changes and we had the perfect performance.

"It was the same against Leicester, we also made nine or ten changes and did very well.

"So why not today? Why is it different? They know what the FA Cup means and I know it."

On the Saiz spitting allegation, Christiansen added: "I do not know but if that's right why he got the red card, then it's a problem. But I believe he didn't do it."

Newport trailed to Gaetano Berardi's ninth-minute strike, which possibly brushed off the heel of team-mate Pierre-Michel Lasogga, but created chances throughout.

They finally took advantage of a depleted Leeds side when Shaugnessy sliced Frank Nouble's cross into his own net 14 minutes from time.

McCoulsky, on loan from Bristol City, then headed home from a last-minute corner to send Rodney Parade wild.

Newport manager Mike Flynn is now dreaming of an FA Cup trip to Anfield.

Former Bradford City skipper Flynn, who saved Newport from dropping out of the English Football League last season, said: "I thought we were outstanding throughout.

"But I knew we were going to put a performance in because they never let me down. They are an outstanding group and deserve all the credit.

"Being a Liverpool fan, I'd love us to play at Anfield in the next round. But really, it's whatever makes the club the most money.

"Hopefully we can get one of the big clubs away – the money will be huge for this football club."

He added: "I was a little bit more confident when I saw their team – but they are Championship players and you've still got to beat them.

"I was confident anyway with the nature of them coming down here to our place. It's not their home comforts and I knew we would make it difficult for them."