Newport County fell to a 2-0 defeat against Fleetwood Town at Higbury Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Two second half goals, a stunning free-kick from Pheonix Paterson and a well worked corner routine finished off by Zach Medley were enough for Fleetwood to take all three points.
Interim head coach, Dafydd Williams, made five changes to the side that faced Walsall last time out, as Courtney Baker-Richardson, Kyle Jameson, Kieron Evans, Oliver Greaves and Anthony Glennon return the starting eleven.
Academy youngsters, Moses Alexander-Walker and Riley Lonergan also earn their places on the bench.
Newport were dealt a blow just seven minutes in, being forced into an early substitution as Baker-Richardson was replaced by Kyle Hudlin.
The match began with promising attacking intent from both sides. Early on, Greaves linked up well with Bobby Kamwa, who came close as he cut inside and curled an effort narrowly wide of the Fleetwood goal.
Kamwa continued to be instrumental in the attack as he almost caught Jay Lynch out with his low cross that forced the keeper into a save.
Moments later, Matty Virtue tested Townsend from range, but the Newport shot-stopper was equal to his long range effort. Virtue soon found himself in the referee’s book after he halted Kamwa’s dangerous counter-attack.
Fleetwood attacking midfielder, Virtue continued to be a focal point for the visitors as he sent in a teasing cross on 32 minutes but the danger was well cleared by Evans.
The game was halted in the 37th minute due to a medical emergency in the home Memorial Stand as the situation was assessed and the crowd’s safety was ensured.
As the first half drew to a close, Greaves tried to find Hudlin, who had made a run in behind the Cods defence but Lynch was alert to the danger. Hudlin then had another chance, as he turned well on the counter only to see his effort deflected wide for a corner.
The Exiles came out with renewed energy after the break as Kamwa teed up Evans on the edge of the box. Lynch was once again forced into action but came to the rescue for Fleetwood.
In the 52nd minute, the hosts opened the scoring as Patterson curled in a free-kick from the edge of the box and into the bottom corner leaving Townsend with no chance.
McLoughlin delivered a cross which was dealt with by Zech Medley initially before Hudlin headed just wide.
County made a double substitution in the 66th minute, introducing David Ajiboye and Kai Whitmore in an attempt to freshen things up.
Fleetwood doubled their lead in the 74th minute following a well worked corner routine that was finished off by Medley. The centre-half found himself on the receiving end of a short corner kick and his left footed shot was fired into the bottom corner past the outstretched Townsend.
Second half substitute, Ajiboye showed his pace on the right flank as he burst beyond his marker to win a free kick.
Another substitution was made as Greaves was replaced by Keenan Patten as the game ticked over into the final ten minutes.
There was a late for the opposition as James Bolton latched onto the ball in the six yard box but he wasn’t able to direct his effort goalward.
The last chance of the game fell to County as Joe Thomas’ high cross found Patten at the back post but he was unable to convert as his right footed effort blazed wide.
Newport County: Townsend, Thomas, Baker, Jameson, Glennon, McLoughlin, Antwi, K.Evans (Whitmore 66’), Kamwa, Baker-Richardson (Hudlin 7’ (Ajiboye 66’) ,Greaves (Patten 83’).
Substitutes: Webb, Alexander-Walker, Lonergan.
Fleetwood Town: Lynch, Johnson (Potter 84’), Bolton, Medley (Bennett 84’), Hunt, Neal, Broom, Virtue (Morrison 79’), Helm (Bonds 69’), Patterson, Devonport (Moore 79’).
Substitutes: Hewitson, Cross-Adair.
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action as they host Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade on the final day of the season.