County plunged further into darkness deep in the League Two basement as former Portsmouth predator Anthony Scully's second half strike sank them at the murky Croud Meadow writes Tony Rees.
Exiles boss David Hughes had enjoyed some stellar seasons at Shrewsbury a quarter of a century ago, but, in a relegation dog fight of such fine margins, this was a miserable return for the ex-centre back.
There was little doubt two early chances spurned by the Port cost them the stiffest of penalties - borrowed Manchester United starlet Habeeb Ogunneye and defender Akin Odimayo will be distraught at the muffed opportunities.
The reverse was the 14th of the season for rock-bottom Newport, and this latest blow in middle England will heap more crippling pressure on manager Hughes and number two Wayne Hatswell as it was against rivals who now hold a five-point advantage over County in the league table.
The aftermath of Storm Claudia and flooding had meant major disruption in transportation for the vast amount of the Amber Army, who had weaved a route to Shropshire, many re-routing via Telford to avoid concerns on the Herefordshire link. The valiant fans will, doubtless, stand by their team, regardless of this latest defeat.
County were to show four changes from the side that slid out of the Vertu Trophy at Exeter's hands earlier this week. There was a recall for keeper Jordan Wright, who replaced Nik Tzanev, the Kiwi on international duty. Odimayo slotted in for a first start in a back three, With Kai Whitmore suspended, Cameron Antwi pushed into advanced midfield - Courtney Baker-Richardson at the cutting edge with Gerard Garner.
Injuries and illness had bitten the hosts hard, who named just six substitutes rather than the usual seven. Former Doncaster central destroyer Tom Anderson came into a rear guard marshalled by Sam Stubbs, Tommy McDermott and veteran raider John Marquis making his 598th professional appearance.
The tense clash burst into life with both rivals exchanging threats, But Newport should really have been ahead in the seventh minute. Garner's sublime ball split Stubbs and Anderson, advancing Ogunneye's stabbed effort deflecting clear off Shrews stopper Will Brook's leg.
Odimayo almost profited from the second phrase of a Sammy Braybrooke corner moments later. But the Shrews were bearing their teeth on the half-hour. Cameron Evans and skipper Lee Jenkins snuffed out two raids, before Wright sprang low to brilliantly thwart McDermott and Josh Ruffels.
Yet County posed an abundance of threat as they grabbed midfield ascendancy. Anthony Glennon was excelling in his left-side wing-back role, finding energetic Garner, who squared, Antwi wastefully lifting his 18-yard drive over the bar.
The Exiles had seen goal chances, of course. But hesitancy at the back proved fatal on 51 minutes, Scully allowed to steady in a central position before flashing a rising right-footer past helpless Wright.
It was a bitter blow for Newport, but they were now hanging on desperately. Sam Clucas's shot was beaten away by Wright, Baker-Richardson then hooked Stubbs' header off the line from Tom Sang's resulting corner and only on-loan Arsenal teenager Ismeal Kabia will know how he missed a gaping net from five yards.
Shrewsbury Town [3-4-3}
Will Brook
Tom Anderson
Sam Stubbs
Will Boyle
Ismeal Kabia
Tom Sang
Josh Ruffels
Sam Clucas
John Marquis [C]
Tommy McDermott
Anthony Scully
Subs
Elyh Harrison [GK]
Luca Hoole for McDermott 74 mins
Mal Benning
Isaac England
Harrison Biggins
Will Gray
- six substitutes named
Newport County [3-5-2]
Jordan Wright
Lee Jenkins [C]
Cameron Evans
Akin Odimayo
Habeeb Ogunneye
Anthony Glennon
Sammy Braybrooke
Cameron Antwi
Ben Lloyd
Courtney Baker-Richardson
Gerard Garner
Subs
Shaun MacDonald [GK]
James Clarke
Ciaran Brennan for Odimayo 70 mins
Michael Spellman
Michael Reindorf
Moses Alexander-Walker for Antwi 81 mins
Bobby Kamwa for Glennon 59 mins
Referee : Elliott Swallow
Assistant Referees : Sam Clayton & Adam Wilson
Fourth Official: Gary Parish
Attendance not announced