Newport County couldn’t get the better of Colchester United as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at home.
It was goalless going into the break, with The Exiles getting the better of the away side just before the half-time whistle.
However, a dominant start from The U’s saw them go in front as Harry Anderson’s effort from range was guided into the bottom right corner.
It was only six minutes later when substitute Jack Payne grabbed their second after an initial save from Jordan Wright found the attacker, where he headed the ball in from close range.
Newport were able to get one back with the last kick of the game after a darting cross found a diving Lee Jenkins who guided the ball into the bottom corner.
This result leaves County in 23rd place, however they only sit in the relegation zone due to goal difference as they remain level on points with Barrow.
Christian Fuchs made two changes to the side that beat Tranmere Rovers midweek.
Harrison Biggins and Ben Lloyd shifted down to the bench, with Matt Smith returning to the starting eleven alongside Ged Garner.
Danny Cowley made four changes as his team suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Chesterfield in their previous fixture.
Harvey Araujo, Rob Hunt, Arthur Read and Payne all missed out in the starting line-up with Tom Flanagan, Finley Barbrook, Micah Mbick and Frankie Terry taking their place.
It was Colchester with the first attack of the game as Terry delivered the ball to Mbick, whose header went just over the crossbar.
A free kick soon gave The U’s another great chance as a Vincent-Young ball was crossed into the box, but an acrobatic clearance from Smith cleared away any danger.
Mbick and Terry continued to excel as another Terry delivery found the striker in the box, but the effort once again went wide.
Jordan Wright was eventually tested after consistent shots off target as Kyreece Lisbie attempted to curl the ball towards goal, but the keeper easily saved the effort.
Once again Lisbie challenged Wright as Samson Tovide played the winger through on goal, but the shot went straight at Wright and was cleared away.
County finally had their chance at goal, as encouragement from the fans to shoot caused Tom Davies to take Newport’s first shot of the game, but the ball went wide.
Newport continued to push forward as Bobby Kamwa squeezed a cross in between a tight defence, finding Ryan Delaney whose header drifted just wide.
It was The U’s with the first promising opportunity of the second half after a Vincent-Young cross from a free kick found Harry Anderson, but the header went off target.
The pressure continued as Tovide headed the ball onto the crossbar but couldn’t follow up as the ball travelled just over the net.
The away side were eventually rewarded after Anderson dribbled through midfield where his shot from range found the bottom corner.
It didn’t take long until they got their second as substitute Payne found an open goal after an initial save from Wright from Tovide’s shot, but the goalkeeper was unable to reach the follow-up.
The U’s almost added a third to their tally as Vincent-Young fancied his chances of getting a goal after meeting a low-driven cross, but the ball drifted out of play.
Nathaniel Opoku saw his first chance of the game after he met the ball from close range, but Matt Macey stood tall and easily saved the header.
Kamwa tried to get County their first of the afternoon as his shot from inside the box was headed away, leading to a corner.
The winger continued to push forward and almost pulled Newport back into it after his shot on goal came off the outside of the post.
However, Newport were able to get a goal back late on after a diving header from Lee Jenkins ruined Macey’s clean sheet.
Newport will now prepare to face Barnet next Saturday as they travel to The Hive Stadium.
Newport County: Wright, Evans (Jarvis 90’), Baker, Delaney, Davies (Jenkins 69’), Sprangler, Smith (Biggins 69’), Spellman (Opoku 69’), Kamwa, Baker-Richardson, Garner (Lloyd 56’).
Unused substitutes: MacDonald, Jamieson.
Colchester United: Macey, Tucker, Flanagan, Anderson (Gordon 88’), Bishop (Read 74’), Tovide (Goodwin 88’), Lisbie (Williams 88’), Barbrook, Vincent-Young, Mbick (Payne 33’), Terry.
Unused substitutes: Hunt, Akachukwa.
Attendance: 4328
Officials: Steven Copeland (Referee), Jack Clench, James Hooper (Assistant Referee’s), Andrew Ellis (Fourth Official)
