Newport County suffered an agonising 1-0 defeat on the road to a last minute Bristol City goal.
It was the Exiles who had the first chance to open the score as Joe Thomas’ cross found the head of Kai Whitmore but the midfielder was unable to convert the header.
Just moments later, Newport County had another chance as a ball from the midfield found the on-running Michael Reindorf. Who’s right-footed shot was put wide of the post.
Bristol City had a chance to break the deadlock themselves as a through ball fizzled through the Exiles’ defence and Emil Riis raced to secure the Robin’s first chance, but the ball was well collected by Nik Tzanev.
Following a late challenge on Bristol City’s Yu Hirakawa, Thomas was shown a yellow card early in the first half.
The Robins’ next opportunity came as a cross was floated to the far post and found Emil Riis, who headered it back into the area for Ephraim Yeboah but the Italian’s header was stopped by a quick-to-react Tzanev as the ball was scrambled out for a corner.
Newport County then had a chance of their own as Cameron Antwi’s corner found Reindorf on the edge of the box, but the shot was fired over the bar.
Moments before the end of the half, Anis Mehmeti fired a long-ranged effort just past the post of the Exiles’ goal.
Half-Time
Bristol City came out on top as Sam Bell was played in behind the Newport defence, but Matt Baker’s quality defensive work gave Tzanev enough time to come out and prevent the shot.
Following an injury to Keenan Patten early in the second half, Oliver Greaves came on to replace the midfielder.
Continuing their good start, the Robins had another chance as a looping cross was met by a leaping Sinclair Armstrong, who’s header was put wide.
Bristol City continued to pressure the Exiles’ goal as Bell picks up the ball on the edge of the box and the left-footed shot was blocked by Baker.
Bell has another chance to find the opener for the Robins as his curling effort forces Tzanev into a brilliant save, tipping the ball just past the post.
Despite Newport County’s good defensive work throughout the half, the Robins finally break the deadlock just seconds before the final whistle is blown through a Elijah Morrison tap-in.
Full-Time
The Exiles travel to The Hive Stadium where they’ll face Barnet in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening (7:30pm).
Newport County Starting XI: Tzanev, Thomas (Sanca 83’), Jenkins (Ogunneye 45’), Clarke(C), Baker, Davies (Glennon 65’), Smith (Patten 45’) Greaves 53’), Whitmore, Antwi (Evans 79’), Reindorf (Baker-Richardson 45’), Garner (Kamwa 45’)
Substitutes: Wright, Alexander-Walker, Longeran
Bristol City Starting XI: Lumley, Tanner, Vyner, Roberts, Sykes, Knight(C), Randell, Hirakawa, Mehmeti, Yeboah, Riis
Substitutes: Thomas, Atkinson, Dickie, Araoye, Knight-Lebel, McCrorie, Morrison, Murphy, Derrick, Twine, Phillips, Bell, Armstrong, Mayulu, Cornick