It was another disappointing trip north for County as they were beaten by Carlisle United in SkyBet League Two.
An Omari Patrick header and a Joshua Kayode penalty put the hosts in control at the break.
An injury to Matty Dolan and a red card for defender Ryan Inniss compounded a tough opening 45 minutes for County.
The Exiles improved after the restart and created numerous chances but they weren’t able to take them.
There were two changes from the weekend victory over Morecambe as Padraig Amond and Jordan Green replaced Jamille Matt and Tristan Abrahams in attack.
The hosts also bought in two new faces with Jack Bridge and Kayode coming into the starting XI.
The Blues started brightly with Patrick causing plenty of problems out wide with his pace. After finding space to whip in a number of crosses, the 23-year-old showed he wasn’t just about speed with a thumping header from an Elliot Watt corner to put his side ahead, albeit with a telling deflection.
The Exiles’ evening was dampened further when Dolan picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Joss Labadie, who then sported the captain’s armband.
County’s best chance fell to Dale Gorman but the midfielder couldn’t add to his goal from the weekend as his long-range effort flew just wide of the woodwork.
Minutes later, the January loan signing was judged to have fouled Bridge in the box and Kayode made no mistake from the spot to double Carlisle’s lead.
The visitors responded well and created a couple of chances with both Green and Amond having shots blocked but their momentum was halted on the stroke of half time when Inniss was sent off for a strong challenge on Kayode.
With County struggling to impose themselves, Jamille Matt was introduced shortly before the hour mark for Amond and he almost made the desired impact, heading wide from a Mickey Demetriou throw-in.
Fellow sub Labadie could have pulled one back minutes earlier when Nick Anderton headed a Robbie Willmott corner into his path but the midfielder blazed over when well placed.
At the other end, Tom King had to be at full stretch to keep out a rasping drive from Lewis Alessandra.
Carlisle looked dangerous every time they poured forward but so did the Exiles and Labadie, again, had the chance to reduce the deficit but he put too much power on the effort from close range.
Billy Waters replaced Green for the final eight minutes as Carlisle saw out the victory.
Carlisle United (4-3-3): Adam Collin (C); Gethin Jones, Aaron Hayden, Max Hunt, Nick Anderton; Jack Bridge (Nathan Thomas 69), Elliot Watt, Mike Jones; Lewis Alessandra, Joshua Kayode (Taylor Charters 79), Omari Patrick (Jack Iredale 86).
Subs not used: Marcus Dewhurst, Jon Mellish, Stefan Scougall, Olufela Olomola.
Newport County AFC (3-4-1-2): Tom King; Ryan Inniss, Scot Bennett, Mickey Demetriou; Robbie Willmott, Dale Gorman, Matty Dolan (Joss Labadie 12), Ryan Haynes; Josh Sheehan (C); Jordan Green (Billy Waters 82), Padraig Amond (Jamille Matt 56).
Subs not used: Kyle Howkins, Lewis Collins, Otis Khan, Tristan Abrahams.
Referee: Graham Salisbury.
Attendance: 2,822 (49 Newport County).
Next up for County: Stevenage, March 14 (AWAY).