Newport County fell to a 3-1 defeat at Bradford City on Monday night.
Goals from Andy Cook, Bobby Pointon and Jamie Walker saw the Bantams claim all three points in Yorkshire, despite Kyle Hudlin's earlier equaliser.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made one change from the win over Salford City last time out, with Ciaran Brennan coming into the starting eleven in the place of Matt Baker.
James Clarke made his long-awaited return from injury to feature on the bench.
Bradford looked to test Nick Townsend early on with a ranged effort from Richard Smallwood. The midfielder’s effort from outside the box effort rose high over the bar and left Townsend unfazed.
County went close to getting an opener in 10th minute. After some great footwork by Bobby Kamwa, he cut the ball back to the feet of Hudlin, whose effort was blocked excellently by Jack Shepherd.
Tyreik Wright tried to provide an outlet for Bradford with the winger looking to test the County backline .In the 16th minute his ball was whipped in brilliantly but Townsend was there to collect the cross head of the on-rushing Cook.
Townsend once again proved his importance to County with a big save from Cook soon after. The prolific striker looked to open the scoring for the Bantams after peeling away from Brennan at the far post, but his downward header was held well by the keeper.
Searching for an opener, the Exiles went close midway through the half with a quick counter-attack led by Kamwa. His deep cross was met on the volley by Aaron Wildig at the back post, but the angle proved too difficult for the midfielder.
In the 33rd minute Walker went close with a curling effort from the edge of the box, but Townsend got down brilliantly to his left to palm away from the goal.
It was Bradford who opened the scoring just before half time with Cook scoring a looping header. A decisive cross into the box by Jay Benn was met by Cook, who flicked his header past the outstretched Townsend.
Half Time
County started the second half quickly with a great delivery into the box by Kieron Evans. His cross found Kamwa at the back post but his header was held comfortably by Walker.
Jardim’s men continued to apply pressure with Kamwa driving at the Bradford backline. After getting to the edge of the box, the winger slipped the ball into the feet of Hudlin who proceeded to bend a shot just wide of the right post.
Searching for an equaliser, the Exiles pushed down the left-hand side with Anthony Glennon whipping the ball into the path of Kieron Evans, but the Cardiff City loanee’s header was steered wide of the goal.
In the 65th minute County equalised with a brilliant header from Hudlin. Evans did brilliantly to shift inside before picking out Hudlin, who powered a brilliant header past Walker.
Despite a strong County performance in the second half it was Bradford who reinstated their lead through Jamie Walker. After a good cut back from Pointon, Walker struck his effort through a sea of County bodies and his effort deflected into the net wrong-footing Townsend.
It was the Bantams again who struck a the third not long after. Another assist from Benn found the path of Pointon who poked his effort into the left hand side of the goal.
Full Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday afternoon as they head to Harrogate Town (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, C.Evans, Brennan, Jameson, Glennon, Morris, Wildig (C), Mawene (Antwi 62’), K.Evans, Kamwa (Spellman 86’), Hudlin (Baker-Richardson 76’).
Substitutes: Carney, Clarke, Greaves, Jephcott.
Bradford City: Walker, Byrne (Richards 82'), Smallwood, Walker (Evans 90'), Kavanagh (Smith 69’), Cook, Oduor (Pointon 69’), Wright, Shepherd, Benn, Diabate.
Substitutes: Doyle, Halliday, Oliver.
