BBC Sport examined Newport County's poor penalty conversion record in the EFL. Across the past two seasons, Newport County have converted just two of nine penalties in all competitions, and only one of six in League Two.
Their 16.7% conversion rate is the worst in the entire English Football League, while Newport County are two points off the play-offs.
Record across two seasons
Between 2023 and 2025, Newport scored 10 of 13 penalties between Will Evans and Omar Bogle. Harrison Biggins scored from the spot in a draw at Rotherham in October, then had a penalty saved against Cheltenham Town in a 1-0 defeat.
Where the penalties have gone
Six of Newport's last nine penalties have been aimed to the right and, on each occasion, the keeper has guessed correctly. Cameron Antwi, Nathaniel Opoku, Bobby Kamwa and Shaquille Gwenge were all denied from penalties aimed to the right.
Ged Garner was denied to the left against Swindon Town. Yahya Bamba had a penalty ruled out for a double touch, then converted the retake by waiting for the goalkeeper to move.
Mullins' approach and Gwengwe's return
Hayden Mullins prefers to hand sole responsibility to his centre-forward. Mullins has been without Shaquille Gwenge through suspension for the past three games, and during those three games Newport have missed two penalties.
Gwenge is available again and has six goals already this season. Mullins said Gwenge practices penalties "for a long time" after training.
Mullins on taking penalties
The 47-year-old said: "We never lay any blame on anyone who steps up to take a penalty."
Mullins said: "Penalties are always tough. Harrison scored the game before it's a game of cat and mouse really between you and the goalkeeper."
He added: "I would run up, have one eye on the goalkeeper and whichever way he went, I would go the other way, but it's brave."
Mullins said: "Penalties are down to a lot of things - fatigue, mindset, where you are, who you're taking it in front of, how you feel at that time and who you're up against."
He said: "We can look at it and practice as much as we can."
Mullins added: "We'll be ready for the next time we take it and hopefully it goes our way."
