Newport County lost 1-0 to Doncaster Rovers in a tight game that could either way in League Two on Saturday.
Kyle Knoyle's driving run and finish was the difference on a day where both sides had plenty of chances to secure all three points at Rodney Parade.
The game was evenly contested in the early stages, with Will Evans being the first man to take aim at the Rovers goal. His volley from about 25 yards went will wide of the left-hand post though.
Adam Clayton had Doncaster’s first attempt at goal on ten minutes, but after receiving a cute cut-back from Ben Close, he could only drive a shot harmlessly over Joe day’s crossbar.
Priestley Farquharson had to be alert moments later to clear a dangerous cross from Kyle Knoyle. With red and white shirts waiting on the six-yard line the centre-back did brilliantly to clear on the slide.
Mickey Demetriou had County’s next chance, with the ball falling to him from Aaron Lewis’ corner. It was well blocked by the visitors’ backline, however, and the ball sailed out for another corner.
The Exiles were piling the pressure on and when Nathan Moriah-Welsh fed Aaron Lewis down the left, he fired a speculative shot toward the near post only for it to end up in the side netting.
Charlie Seamen was the next to have a go for Rovers, receiving the ball on the edge of the area, only to send a powerful shot too high for the top left corner.
On 28 minutes Newport missed a golden chance. Demetriou’s launch into the box was well flicked on by Cameron Norman, but inside the six-yard box Will Evans failed to hit the target with a close range header.
Doncaster came so close to the opener minutes later with a lovely flowing move. Ben Close sprayed a diagonal pass out to Max Woltman, who after a few step overs delivered a low ball that was just out of Harrison Biggins’ reach.
Newport countered and another Demetriou throw-in landed at Scot Bennet’s feet, but from 18 yards out he half-volleyed over.
Biggins went for goal from range on 37 minutes, letting fly with a decent left-footed try that was safely palmed aside by Day.
The visitors hit the crossbar with time ticking away in the first half, George Miller saw a flicked header brush the bar as it went over.
Rovers had the first chance of the second half, when Woltman fed James Maxwell inside the area. The left-back’s shot from a tight angle flew just over, though.
Eight minutes into the second half, Newport had a decent chance to take the lead. Omar Bogle showed great strength to secure the ball before curling a delicious cross to the back post. Evans was waiting but after hitting a firm, side-footed volley into the ground, Jonathan Mitchell was there to tip it over.
Just seconds later Doncaster were in on goal. Miller had broken the back line and only had the ‘keeper to beat but his tame finish was easily parried away by Day.
Knoyle gave Doncaster an emphatic lead with a driving run and neat one-two with Close, seeing his firm drive finish high into the roof of the net.
Bogle had a shot on the turn moments later, as County looked to respond, it flew high over the bar though.
Norman, following his heroics last time out against Crewe, fancied his chances again with six minutes to go, but flashed a volley high over the bar with not much time remaining.
Substitute Aaron Wildig had a chance just moments later, getting on the end of Aaron Lewis' whipped delivery, his header, though, had too much on it and missed the target.
Demetriou won a header at the near post from a late corner kick, but he saw his downward header drop just wide.
Newport County XI: Day (GK), Norman, Drysdale, Farquharson, Demetriou (c) Aaron Lewis, Bennett (Wildig, 58’), Moriah-Welsh, Waite (Dolan, 58’), Evans (Zanzala, 58’), Bogle.
Subs not used: Townsend (GK), Adam Lewis, Willmott, Collins.
Doncaster Rovers XI: Mitchell (GK), Knoyle, Maxwell, Williams, Clayton (c), Miller, Biggins, Woltman (Taylor 64’), Rowe, Seamen, Close.
Subs not used: Jones, Long, Ravenhill, Hurst, Agard, Faulkner.
Referee: Adam Herczeg
Assistant referee: Jack Clench
Assistant referee: Daniel Flynn
Fourth official: Declan O’Shea