Newport County continued their pre-season campaign with a narrow 2-0 defeat to Bristol City in a behind closed doors match on Tuesday afternoon.
Goals from Nahki Wells and Sinclair Armstrong were enough to hand the Robins the victory at the High Performance Centre.
The Exiles started the game well in possession but were caught out in the early stages when Wells advanced forward and was denied via a smart save from Nick Townsend inside two minutes.
Looking to build on their positive start to proceedings, County’s first chance of the afternoon fell the way of Michael Spellman.
The former Sunderland winger broke through after a neat ball from Courtney Baker-Richardson, but he was unable to test the advancing Bajic.
Midway through the half, the Robins hit back with a few chances of their own. First, Wells broke free inside the box but he was denied by a great sliding tackle from Ciaran Brennan. That was before, Kyle Jameson made a great last-ditch block to deny Armstrong from close range.
Half-time
In the second period, it was the home side who started the bright, calving out an opportunity inside three minutes. Wells beat Brennan in a foot-race to the ball inside the box, but the experienced forward unable to finding the finishing touch past Townsend.
At the other end, County’s first opportunity of the second period arrived midway through the half. A dangerous cross from Kai Whitmore nearly found its way to Spellman at the far post, only for some good defending from Rob Atkinson preventing the forward.
On 60 minutes, head coach, Nelson Jardim made seven changes to his side by giving more players valuable minutes ahead of the upcoming League Two campaign.
A few minutes after the changes, the deadlock was finally broken by the Robins on 69 minutes. A well placed pass found its way to the feet of Wells inside the box, who clinically beat Jacob Carney to give the Robins the breakthrough.
Looking to respond to going one-behind, the Exiles nearly equalised just minutes later. Substitutes Luke Jephcott and Kiban Rai combined well down the right, with the former forcing a strong save from Bajic.
Continuing to enjoy spells of possession, the Exiles nearly produced an equalising goal with ten minutes of the game remaining. Joe Thomas threaded a lovely ball through to Trialist B, whose low cross picked out Jephcott.
The forward took ball on the turn but was unable to produce a shot on target, dragging an effort wide of the post.
Just before the final whistle, Bristol City replied to Newport’s missed chance in quick fashion as they doubled their lead with a well taken goal from Armstrong.
Full-time
The Exiles continue their pre-season campaign with a trip to Kidderminster Harriers at the Aggborough on Saturday afternoon (2pm)
Newport County Starting XI: Townsend (Carney 61’), McLoughlin (Thomas 61’), Brennan, Jameson (Sanca 61’), Glennon (Trialist A 61’), Wildig (Baker 61’), Whitmore, Antwi (Trialist B 61’), Wood (Greaves 61’), Spellman (Rai 58’), Baker-Richardson (Jephcott 61’).
Bristol City Starting XI: Bajic, McCrorie, Tanner, Atkinson, Campbell-Slowely, Bird, Gardner-Hickman, Mehmeti, Wells, Armstrong, Sykes.
Substitustes: Nelson, Taylor-Clarke, Asghar-Ali.