Newport County AFC put in a battling display but fell to a narrow defeat to Mansfield Town at a wet and windy One Call Stadium.
Danny Rose, who has a good record against the Exiles, was the difference with a fierce strike from the edge of the box in the first half.
County pushed the Stags all the way, with Dale Gorman twice flashing shots wide, but they couldn’t find an equaliser.
Manager Michael Flynn made three changes from the midweek draw with Walsall. Two were forced with Robbie Willmott replacing the injured Dan Leadbitter and Tristan Abrahams coming in for Otis Khan, who was ineligible to play against his parent club. The other change saw Padraig Amond replace Jamille Matt.
With injuries still ravaging through the squad, Flynn was only able to name a five-man bench, which included teenage defender Joe Woodiwiss.
The stags also made three changes with Aidan Stone, Hayden White and Harry Charsley returning to the side.
The heavy rain and strong winds of Storm Dennis had made their mark on the surface and so it was no surprise that the two teams took a while to get used to the conditions.
County seemed to adjust quicker as Mickey Demetriou and Jordan Green had chances on goal, although both were off target, before Gorman fired over from a Demetriou long throw-in.
Green then raced onto a loose ball following a miskick from Harry Charsley but the attacker was crowded out before he could get a shot away.
The Stags then had a similar chance themselves as they caught the Exiles on the counter. Demetriou got back to block the initial effort but from Nicky Maynard but the ball fell for Rose, who smashed the ball home for his sixth goal in nine appearances against County.
The hosts started to pass the ball more confidently and Rose could have doubled his tally but shot straight at Tom King when found at the back post.
Former Cardiff City forward Maynard showed great trickery to open up space on the edge of the box but his curling effort lacked power and King got down well to keep him out.
Flynn changed things at the break with academy graduate Lewis Collins making his fifth league appearance of the season, replacing Abrahams.
King was at full stretch to keep out a looping header from Rose after smothering a Krystian Pearce strike as the Stags continued to pile forward.
Matt came on for Waters for the final half hour and teed up Gorman just a few yards from goal but the midfielder planted a shot the wrong side of the posts.
Flynn’s final change saw him introduce Dolan for Gorman as they searched for an equaliser but Mansfield’s defence remained resolute and County couldn’t find a way through.
Mansfield Town (3-5-2): Aidan Stone; Krystian Pearce (C), Ryan Sweeney, Kelland Watts; Hayden White, Neal Bishop, Will Tomlinson, Harry Charsley, CJ Hamiton; Nicky Maynard, Danny Rose.
Subs not used: Bobby Olejnik, Mal Benning, Matt Preston, Craig Davies, Jack Evans, James Clarke, Jimmy Knowles.
Newport County AFC (4-4-2): Tom King; Robbie Wilmott, Ryan Inniss, Scot Bennett, Mickey Demetriou; Jordan Green, Joss Labadie (C), Dale Gorman (Matty Dolan 78), Tristan Abrahams (Lewis Collins 46); Padraig Amond, Billy Waters (Jamille Matt 58).
Subs not used: Kyle Howkins, Joe Woodiwiss.
Referee: Dean Whitestone.
Attendance: 3,653 (111 Newport County)
Next up for County: Salford City, February 19 (HOME).