Newport County made it back-to-back wins with a 2-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon at Cherry Records Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Bryn Morris and Kyle Jameson - his first of the campaign - were enough to hand County all three points in Sky Bet League Two.
Manager Graham Coughlan made one change from the side that defeated Morecambe in midweek, with Offrande Zanzala coming into the starting eleven in place of Luke Jephcott while academy star Nelson Sanca was included on the Exiles bench.
Greeted to a sell-out crowd in South London, it was the home side who made an assertive start to proceedings. A long throw from John-Kymani Gordon was cleared by Kyle Jameson before Armani Little flashed an effort wide of goal inside two minutes.
After absorbing an early spell of pressure, it was the Exiles who made the breakthrough in superb fashion seven minutes later. After a quick counter-attacking move, Zanzala squared a lovely ball into the path of Bryn Morris who fired home a thunderous strike past the outstretched Alex Bass.
Midway through the first half, The Dons came close to levelling the scores. Jack Currie received the ball on the edge of the area, teeing up Little, but once again he couldn’t keep his effort down to trouble Nick Townsend.
On 31 minutes, a brilliant move saw Adam Lewis show good interchange play in Zanzala down the left hand side. After showing great composure the latter beat Kofi Balmer inside the six yard box prior to being denied via strong save from Bass.
Immediately at the other end, Dons skipper Jake Reeves went close with an effort, a strong interception from Matt Baker needing to prevent a certain chance for the hosts. That was before Ronan Curtis forced Townsend into a comfortable save from a free-kick just outside the box.
Just before the break, a Wimbledon set-piece from Lee Brown saw the full-back drive a ball across the face of goal but County were able to clear, as Coughlan’s men took a one-goal advantage into the break.
Half Time
The Exiles made an immediate start to the second period with top goalscorer Will Evans going close inside the first minute. Harry Charsley’s lofted pass found the feet of the forward who turned his man skilfully, firing a deflected effort just wide of the target.
Continuing to create chances through their attacking display, Coughlan’s men doubled their lead in the 53rd minute. Lewis’ dangerous delivery from the left evaded everyone in the Dons box apart from Jameson, who was on hand to steer home a brilliant finish to net his league goal of the campaign.
In the 64th minute Coughlan introduced Seb Palmer-Houlden to fray in place of Zanzala. The Bristol City loanee was immediately in and around the action hooking an effort over the bar seconds after the change. A well-worked set piece of Lewis again providing another attacking opportunity for the Exiles.
Looking to find a way back into the game, the Dons came agonisingly close midway through the half. A long ball was brought down well by substitute Josh Kelly on the edge of the area, he showed great skill to get a shot away producing an effort that whistled just wide of goal.
With just ten minutes of the game remaining, a superb run and ball from Morris prevented Evans with a golden chance in front of goal. The forward beat John-Joe O’Toole inside the box but he was unable to find the cutting edge against the advancing Bass.
In added time, the home side piled on the pressure in search of a consolation goal, but it was the Exiles who secured all three points on the road.
Full Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action next weekend with a trip to Barrow at Holker Street (3pm).
AFC Wimbledon: Bass, Brown (Sasu 60’), Reeves (C), Balmer, Neufville, Little (Ball 70’), Bugiel, O’Toole, Curtis, Currie, Gordon (Kelly 60’).
Substitutes: Tzanev, Pell, Davison, Ogundere.
Newport County: Townsend, Jameson, Bennett (C), Baker, Lewis, Payne, Wildig (Waite 81’), Morris, Charsley (Jephcott 81’), Zanzala (Palmer-Houlden 64’), Evans.
Substitutes: Maxted, Bright, Bondswell, Sanca.
Attendance: 8,307 (469 away)