Newport County fell to a 2-1 defeat against Swindon Town in a hard-fought encounter at Rodney Parade on Friday night.
An early goal from Kyle Hudlin put the Exiles in front but the Robins equalised minutes later as Harry Smith fired home from range.
Midway through the second half Swindon Town took the lead as substitute, Joe Westley, secured all three points for the visitors.
Head coach, Nelson Jardim, made four changes to the starting eleven that faced Port Vale on Saturday.
The previously injured Nick Townsend returned in goal while Courtney Baker-Richardson could get his first minutes since November after being sidelined with an injury.
January signing, Tom Davies, made his first start in Amber and Black while other recent signing Josh Martin made his debut from the bench.
The game got off to a quick start with Cameron Evans playing a ball in behind Swindon’s left hand-side. Shane McLoughlin was on the receiving end of the pass and his ball in the box couldn’t find anyone in Amber.
In the thirteenth minute, The Exiles opened the scoring with Hudlin finishing from close range. After a scintillating run, David Ajiboye forced Jack Bycroft into a save that fell to Hudlin who followed in.
Just two minutes later, Swindon equalised through Harry Smith. The striker latched onto a bouncing ball and volleyed home from the edge of the box.
County looked to get back into the lead with pace down either wing. Davies linked up well with Kamwa on the left wing but Davies’ cross was slightly over his targets in the box.
Both sides were unable to break eachother down as they battled to go into the half a goal up.
Half Time
The beginning of the second half saw a large spell of Swindon possession with the Robins putting pressure on the County back line. A number of crosses into the box were headed away by James Clarke and Matt Baker.
The first shot on target of the half fell to Swindon as Nnamdi Ofoborth forced Nick Townsend into a save down low to push the danger away.
Jardim looked to freshen up the attack with Baker-Richardson as he replaced Hudlin and also handed a debut to Martin.
As the Exiles tried to test the Robins resolve a deep free kick was swung in well by Davies. He found Cameron Evans in the box but the defender was unable to trouble Bycroft with a weak shot.
Another chance fell to Cameron Evans after McLoughlin laid the ball into the path of the right back on the edge of the box but his shot didn't hit the target.
The visitors looked to break on the counter attack with Aaron Drinan delivering a ball into the box that was caught well by a diving Townsend.
Just after, Kieron Evans set Kamwa in behind Tunmise Sobowale and the winger won a corner after drilling a cross into the area. The following corner was put into a dangerous area and forced Bycroft to punch away.
With just over fifteen minutes to go Swindon took the lead as second half substitute, Joe Westley, finished in the box. After a loose ball, Sobowale delivered a low ball into the area that was tucked away into the bottom right corner by Westley.
Moments later, Ajiboye did well to control a headed clearance and spun his man before seeing his strike blocked well. The ball fell to Kieron Evans on the edge of the box but he was unable to find the target with his strike.
Just before full time, the Exiles had a chance to equalise after Kamwa found Baker-Richardson with a cross but the striker headed wide.
The Exiles return to Sky Bet League Two action when they travel to Salford on Tuesday night (19:45pm).
Newport County: Townsend. C.Evans, Baker, Clarke (C), Davies, McLoughlin, Whitmore (Martin 59’), K.Evans, Ajiboye (Spellman 86’), Hudlin (Baker-Richardson 59’), Kamwa.
Substitutes: Webb, Antwi, Greaves.
Swindon Town: Bycroft, Sobowale, Delaney, Wright, Ofoborh (Cotterill 72’), Clarke (C), Smith (Tshimanga 86’), Nichols (Westley 63’), Kilkenny, Drinan, Cox (Cain 86’).
Substitutes: Glatzel, Butterworth, Barden.
Attendance: 5244 (Away - 1,055)