Newport County continued their pre-season campaign with narrow 2-1 defeat to Barry Town United on Saturday afternoon.
Aaron Wildig gave the Exiles the lead before goals from Kayne McLaggon and Aiden Lewis saw the Linnets secure victory at Jenner Park.
The Exiles started the game on the front foot and carved out an opportunity after just two minutes.
Ciaran Brennan advanced forward from midfield and played a long ball in behind in an attempt to find the run of Trialist A. The forward brought the ball down well inside the are but was unable to find the finishing touch.
The Linnets very quickly had a chance of their own to take the lead just minutes later. After breaking down the right hand side, a lovely cross found the feet of Lewis, whose close range shot was narrowly deflected past the post.
After 15 minutes, it was the Exiles who made the breakthrough in brilliant fashion. Anthony Glennon’s deep cross flashed across the face of goal and picked out the on-running Wildig, who composedly fired home from close range.
Midway through the half, the Linnets did find a way back into the game through long-serving captain, McLaggon. From a set-piece, the former Southampton forward buried a re-bound effort to draw the sides’s level in South Wales.
Immediately, from the kick-off, Wildig had the opportunity to get his second of the game. After getting in behind the United backline, the midfielder broke through and was denied by an impressive save from the opposition’s goalkeeper.
Continuing to great chances, County had a great chance to restore their one-goal advantage just before the break. Another swift delivery from Glennon found Trialist A, whose turn and shot couldn’t trouble the home side’s goalkeeper.
Half-time
Following nine changes at the break, the Exiles kicked off the second period in positive fashion. Michael Spellman, looking to net for the second time in Amber and Black, showed great skill outside the box, firing an effort narrowly wide.
Barry hit in front approaching the hour when Lewis curled in a delightful free-kick past the outstretched Jacob Carney.
In a bid to respond from going behind, the Exiles came close on two occasions. First, Luke Jephcott had a shot blocked by Josh Yowerth inside the box before Spellman was denied from distance.
In the dying embers, Spellman once again did well to beat two defenders to manoeuvre into the opposition’s box but his deflected effort flew wide of the post.
Full-time
The Exiles continue their pre-season campaign with a trip to Bristol City in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday (12pm).
Newport County (First Half): Carney; McLoughlin, Seberry, Jameson, Glennon; Brennan, Antwi, Wildig (C); Greaves, Trialist A, Rai.
Newport County (Second Half): Carney (65’Townsend); Trialist A, Clarke (C), Baker, Trialist B; Brennan (67’ Antwi), Whitmore, Jephcott; Wood, Trialist C, Spellman.