Newport County were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Grimsby Town at Blundell Park on Saturday afternoon.
A solitary second half free-kick goal from George McEachran was the difference between both sides in a game that had plenty of opportunities for either side.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made one change to the side that defeated Harrogate Town last time out, with Michael Spellman coming in who replaced Bobby Kamwa in the starting eleven.
An early chance fell to the hosts as Danny Rose controlled the ball in the box before his effort was saved well by the onrushing Nick Townsend.
The Exiles grew into the game as David Ajiboye shifted into the box and got a shot off, but his effort was blocked well by Grimsby.
Moments later, the Mariners looked to counter as McEachran received a cutback at the penalty spot, but once again, Townsend saved brilliantly to prevent a goal.
The game continued in end-to-end fashion as Jason Svanthorsson hit the crossbar with a cross, and County looked to hit on the counter. It was Anthony Glennon who received the ball on the left, and his cross into the box was cleared to Shane McLoughlin, whose subsequent strike was dragged just wide.
Newport continued to create chances in the Grimsby box after a cross from Glennon caused chaos. The initial ball fell to Michael Spellman, whose attempt was blocked and fell to McLoughlin, who crossed back into the box. His ball found the head of Courtney Baker-Richardson, who nodded across to Ajiboye, but the attacker was unable to convert his headed effort.
Once again, Grimsby went close to opening the scoring as Kieran Green slid an effort past Townsend, but James Clarke crucially cleared it off the line.
Newport County were saved once again by Townsend. After Green pinched the ball from Brennan, he found himself clean through on goal, but Townsend did brilliantly to close down the angle and saved with his legs.
Just before the half, Spellman was played through on goal by McLoughlin, but the winger was unable to round Jordan Wright, who got out to the attacker quickly to clear the danger.
Half-time
Grimsby defender, Tyrell Warren, went close in the opening moments of the second half. A well-worked corner routine saw the ball bounce in front of Warren, whose flicked contact was just wide of the mark.
Rose proved to be a constant danger for the Mariners as the striker went close to opening the scoring, but his effort was just wide of the right post.
In the 63rd minute, Grimsby opened the scoring. After, Matt Baker, conceded a free kick in a dangerous area, McEachran fired goalward, with a deflection taking the ball into the back of the net.
Second-half substitute Josh Martin forced Wright into a diving save after the attacker shot from range.
Despite Grimsby limiting the Exiles' chances, midfielder McLoughlin looked to take control of the game as he produced a cross from the left that found his midfield partner Ciaran Brennan. His subsequent low strike was well blocked by Grimsby.
The closing stages of the game saw Grimsby Town manage the final minutes well, preventing any sort of late County comeback.
Full time
The Exiles return to Sky Bet League Two action next Saturday as they face Notts County at Rodney Parade (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, Thomas, C.Evans (Antwi 75'), Baker, Clarke (C), Glennon, Brennan, McLoughlin, Spellman (Martin 60'), Ajiboye (Whitmore 60'), Baker-Richardson.
Substitutes: Webb, Warner, Greaves, K.Evans.
Grimsby Town: Wright, McEachran (Thompson 90'), Rodgers, Tharme, Warren, Svanthorsson, Hume, Khouri, Rose (C), Barrington (Luker 74'), Green.
Substitutes: Eastwood, Carson, Ainley, Burns, Davies.
Attendance: 5,339 (91 away).
