Newport County fell to a 4-0 defeat against Reading following their return to Rodney Parade.
Goals from Jacob Brown, Josh Stokes and Jerae Jones saw Reading victorious at Rodney Parade.
County made a bright start, with Cameron Norman and Shaquille Gwengwe linking up well in the opening exchanges to force an early corner following an effort on goal.
Despite the positive opening, it was the visitors who struck first on the ten-minute mark. Brown benefited from a deflected effort that found its way beyond Jordan Wright to hand Reading the lead.
The Exiles looked for an immediate response when Yahya Bamba produced a crucial interception inside the penalty area. The loose ball eventually fell to Gwengwe, but the forward had drifted into an offside position and the assistant referee's flag was quickly raised.
The Royals came close to doubling their advantage midway through the first half as a dangerous cross into the box caused problems, but Wright reacted well to command his area and gather the ball safely.
Norman continued to cause problems for the visitors with his energetic display, drawing an early yellow card for Stokes after another driving run through midfield.
County almost finished the first half on level terms when Harrison Biggins delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, but it narrowly evaded the head of Kyle Cameron before drifting behind for a goal-kick.
Chris Todd made his first change of the evening at the break, introducing Trialist B in place of Cameron Evans.
Reading doubled their lead shortly after the restart as Stokes found the back of the net to make it 2-0.
Further changes followed for County as Matt Smith, Shaun MacDonald and Tom Davies replaced Wright, Harri Pugh and Bamba.
The hosts continued to show attacking intent on the counter, with Gwengwe threading a dangerous pass towards Biggins. However, the ball carried just too much pace, allowing the Reading defence to recover and deal with the danger.
The visitors added a third midway through the second half when Jones converted from close range.
County continued to push forward in search of a breakthrough. Tom Davies produced an excellent delivery which picked out Jenkins at the far post, forcing the Reading goalkeeper into a smart save to concede a corner.
Trialist B also came close after a loose ball fell kindly on the edge of the penalty area, but his powerful strike was bravely blocked by the visiting defence.
The Exiles continued to pile on the pressure with a succession of dangerous crosses and corners, but were unable to find a way past the Reading backline.
Todd introduced further fresh legs as Cole Jarvis, Ged Garner and Christian Doidge entered the action.
Norman almost pulled a goal back with a curling effort that drifted narrowly beyond the far post.
Another substitution followed as Moses Alexander-Walker replaced Norman, with the forward making an immediate impact. Despite seeing the offside flag raised, he beat several defenders during a lively attacking run to provide another positive moment for the home side.
County's final change saw Harrison Halpin replace Joe Thomas as Todd continued to rotate his squad.
Reading added a fourth late on with another close-range finish to complete a 4-0 victory at Rodney Parade.
Despite the scoreline, County showed promising passages of play throughout the evening as preparations for the new campaign continued.
Newport County: Wright, Norman, Jenkins, Cameron, Thomas, Brennan, Evans, Biggins, Bamba, Pugh, Gwengwe.
Substitutions: MacDonald, Davies, Sassi, Halpin, Patten, Jarvis, Smith, Doidge, Garner, Trialist A, Trialist B.
Reading FC: Pereira, Dorsett, Rinomhota, Wing (C), Godwin-Malife, O’Connor, Ward, Brown, Lisbie, Stokes, Osho
Substitutions: Stevens, Fraser, Savage, Kyerewaa, Williams, Sackey, Duah, Ahmed, Beacroft, Jones, Howard, Lane.
Match officials: Ross Martin (Referee), James Hooper & Adam Ricketts (Assistant Referees), James Salt (Fourth Official).