Brentford boss Thomas Frank hailed debutant Ellery Balcombe the hero, as the Bees scraped through to the third round of the Carabao Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory over Newport County.

The Premier League side, who made a host of changes from the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, had struggled to break down their League Two opponents but looked to have sealed victory when Mathias Jensen netted three minutes from time.

But the Welsh outfit hit back with a dramatic injury-time equaliser from teenager Kiban Rai and force the game to penalties.

Bees youth product Balcombe, who has been sent out on loan seven times so far in his career, made his debut one to remember as he saved two penalties to send the visitors through 3-0 in the shoot-out.

“I think he played a good game, I am so pleased for him,” said Frank. “After the game, the fans were singing his name and I almost got emotional because he has been here since he was eight years old.

“I asked Kevin [O’Connor] to say a few words to him because he is the one that can have that feeling because he has been here for many years.

“That was a very nice moment at the end and he got a very nice applause from the players and staff. “He deserves that, it has not been a straightforward journey but he has been working very hard and he is in a good place.”

Balcombe was one of a trio of debutants for Brentford at Rodney Parade, with summer signing from Rochdale Ethan Brierley and winger Michael Olakigbe also making their bows.

“I am pleased with three debuts,” added Frank. “Ethan came in the summer, he has done well for us in training and some of the in-house games, so I am pleased he got a quite quick but well-deserved debut.

“Michael, I like that story a lot, he has been here more than a year, the B team has done very well in getting him up to a good level.

“He went with us to the US on the pre-season tour and he is taking steps in the right direction so I was pleased he got a well-deserved debut and had some good moments in the game.”

Three new faces for Frank’s side was the major positive from a tie that saw the Bees far from their fluid best at times.

The Dane was pleased with the improvement his side showed after the break following a sluggish first half but was also full of praise for how fourth-tier Newport made it difficult for his side.

“I am pleased that we are through,” he reflected. “We played a fine game.

“First half we played a little bit too slow and not quick enough in spells but there was a lot of effort and a lot of focus.

“Second half I thought was better, we moved the ball better, got it quicker to the sides and used more crosses, and had some decent chances and finally got the goal.

“We hoped that it was enough but this is a cup tie and big credit to Newport, I thought they did very well, they made it very difficult for us, defended very well, worked really hard and what an atmosphere when they equalised – incredible.”

“We were good in the penalty shoot-out, we have a clear strategy about that.

“Kevin O’Connor was in charge and said to the boys trust what we do and what we have planned, and Ellery will make at least one save, we know that because we know he is very good at penalties."