Newport County suffered defeat against Swindon Town at the County Ground after two second-half goals saw Swindon get the win.
Swindon first scored in the 63rd minute after the Robins pressured Newport with a swift counter-attack, with Fletcher Holman’s left-footed shot finding the bottom left corner.
It was only two minutes later that the hosts found their second after a low-driven cross found Joe Thomas, who attempted to clear the ball but found his own net.
Christian Fuchs made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 to Grimsby on the weekend, with Liam Shephard and Ryan Delaney replaced by Lewis Jamieson and Ben Lloyd.
It was the hosts who had the opening chance after Aaron Drinan broke past Newport’s backline with only Jordan Wright to beat, but Wright easily saved, preventing an early opener.
The home side continued to pressure as Junior Hoilett managed to squeeze himself through the Newport defence, finding himself open to deliver the cross, but his cross found no one.
Although a misplaced pass by Wright was almost critical in the 17th minute of the game after his pass found Hoilett, his shot was just placed wide of the post.
Newport immediately answered back with a chance of their own after Michael Spellman was played through on the right side of the pitch, but his shot hit the outer side of the net.
Encouraged by the home support, Ollie Clarke attempted a shot on goal from outside the box, with his shot blocked by Harrison Biggins and the ball bouncing just wide of the goal.
The Exiles continued to push on through the remainder of the first half, with two headed attempts from Matt Baker and Biggins both saved but showing promise for the second half.
Just before the whistle blew for the first half, James Scanlon saw an opportunity to deliver the ball into the box, but none of his teammates were to be seen.
It was once again the Robins who had the opening chance of the half after a ferocious volley from Tom Nichols flew over the bar within just a minute of the restart.
After the first five minutes of the second half, Newport found their footing with Spellman curling in a cross that found the head of Jamieson, but his attempt was saved and cleared to safety.
The hosts continued to pile onto the Newport defence, but when a corner was easily collected by Wright, he rolled it out to Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, who burst through the Swindon defence until being brought down in the box, but no penalty was given.
Just moments later, Holman’s left-footed shot found the bottom left corner after catching Newport on the counter-attack to put the hosts in front.
After a mere two minutes, it was the hosts who scored again, but it was Thomas who put it into the back of his own net after he attempted to clear a Swindon cross.
Continued efforts showed from both sides as the Exiles passed the ball well through midfield but were just unable to find the goal they needed, whereas Swindon could not add a third.
Newport’s last opportunity came in the last piece of action of the game as an Anthony Glennon free-kick was saved by Connor Ripley, with Cole Jarvis’ shot directed over the bar.
Newport’s next match is against MK Dons away from home on Saturday 14 February.
Newport County: Wright, Baker, Sprangler, Brennan, Biggins (Jarvis 77’), Thomas, Davies, Garner (Lloyd 87’), Spellman (Glennon 87’), Jamieson (Nyakuhwa 60’), Opoku (Crole 60’).
Substitutes: MacDonald, Evans.
Swindon Town: Ripley, Nichols (Borland 76’), Clarke, Tafazolli (Batty 37’), Kilkenny, Snowdon (Palmer 46’), Scanlon (Holman 46’), Drinan, Hoilett (Knight-Lebel 67’), McGregor, Kirkman.
Substitutes: Ward, Oldaker.
Attendance – 6,810.
Away attendance – 368.
