The Swans lifted the trophy with a 3-0 victory over Littlehampton Town last May and will be back under the arch again this season thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Martin Conway, who saved from Thomas Hampton and Peter Williams.
Both teams led at one stage in normal time – player-boss Richard Duffy putting Congleton in front before Newport hit back through Jake Watkinson.
Mo Ahmed then turned the tables for the holders, only for the Bears to restore parity again 12 minutes from the end through Ethan Hartshorn.
“I’m more relieved than I feel like celebrating,” said Newport Pagnell manager Gary Flinn. “It will sink in an hour or two’s time, but at the moment I’m relieved because the game was so tense and we’re under a bit of pressure at the end.
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CRAIG'S BOOSTS
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LENNIE GETS THE LOVE
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ANCHORS A RAPID
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SEAGULLS KEEP THE HEAT ON ROMANS
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MARVEL MATTY DENIES MOORS
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