An injury-time strike from Joel Colwill condemned Newport County to a narrow 3-2 defeat against Cheltenham Town.
The Exiles found themselves 2-0 down in the encounter after half-hour after strikes from Colwill and Liam Dulson gave the Robins a firm advantage.
However, two quick-fire goals from Courtney Baker-Richardson and a league debut goal from Oliver Greaves saw the Exiles go into the break level.
But, in the dying embers, Cardiff City loanee Colwill earned Michael Flynn’s men all three points with a smart finish on the opening day of the Sky Bet League Two season.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made just one change to the side that faced Hereford last Saturday in the final pre-season game, as Cameron Antwi replaced Cameron Evans in the midfield.
New signings Jacob Carney, Matt Baker, Kai Whitmore, Hamzad Kargbo and Evans all made the bench alongside familiar faces Luke Jephcott and Nathan Wood.
It was the Exiles who made a positive start to proceedings in Gloucestshire calving out an opportunity inside four minutes. Bobby Kamwa, making his first league start for the County, cut inside down the left and nearly caught Owen Evans off-guard with his shot outside the box.
A the other end, Cheltenham’s first big chance of the match came midway through the half. Former Exile, Lewis Payne, intelligently beat Anthony Glennon down the left before firing an effort agonisingly wide of Nick Townsend’s goal.
Continuing to apply pressure on the Exiles’ backline, the Robins’ persistence paid off in the 22nd minute as they made the breakthrough. After the Exiles failed to clear Paynes’ low cross, Colwill tucked away his first goal of the campaign to hand Flynn’s men the lead.
Just five minutes later, Cheltenham doubled their lead as the Exiles failed to defend another cross from the left. Payne picked-out the on running Dulson who composedly beat Townsend from close range.
Bobby Kamwa continued to impress on his debut as his quick feat allowed him to dart into the Robins’ box and was subsequently brought down by Levi Laing to win a penalty. With 31 minutes on the clock, Baker-Richardson rifled the ball into the bottom corner to net on his return in-front of the traveling Amber Army to half the deficit.
Calm and composed in possession, County continued to create chances and found an equalising goal two minutes before the break. Good interchange play between Oliver Greaves and Baker-Richardson saw the former breakthrough and fire home a delightful strike.
Half Time
Following the restart, it was Robins who came out of blocks, looking to re-gain their lead. Colwill's far post cross found Scot Bennett but he couldn't trouble Townsend with a headed effort.
Kamwa continued his positive start as his tricky feat allowed him to cut in-side the Cheltenham box from the left and his curling effort was unbelievably blocked by Laing as he prevented what looked to be a certain goal.
Continuing to show their attacking prowess, the Exiles had another fantastic opportunity as Kai Whitmore nicked the ball from the Cheltenham midfielder and played a perfectly placed through ball into the box for Wildig.
His first touch enbaled him to beat his defender, but he was unable to test Evans who’s first time shot was straight at the keeper.
Swiftly, The Robins’ returned with a chance of their own as Payne played another eye-catching cross onto the head of Bowman but the Englishman couldn’t score from close range.
Following a short corner, Glennon’s first time cross found Ciaran Brennan at the back post who headed it back into a dangerous area to Hamzad Kargbo, who then fired an effort past the post.
In the dying moments, the Robins secured a late winner through Colwill, who tucked home a smart finish to earn maximum points.
Full Time
The Exiles will be back in action on Tuesday evening when they travel to the Gaughan Group Stadium to face League One side Leyton Orient in the Carabao Cup (7.30pm).
Cheltenham Town: O Evans; Bakare, Bennett, Laing; Payne, Sohna (Pett 63), Colwill, Kinsella (Archer 63), Haynes (Thomas 72); Bowman (Miller 85), Dulson (Taylor 63).
Substitutes: Day, Bradbury.
Newport County: Townsend; McLoughlin, Jameson, Clarke, Glennon; Wildig (C), Brennan, Antwi (Whitmore 64’), Greaves (Wood 64’), Kamwa (Jephcott 78’), Baker-Richardson (Kargbo 85’).
Substitutes: Carney, Evans, Baker.
Attendance: 4,613 (1,046).