Newport County exited the Carabao Cup at the First Round stage after a 4-1 defeat at Leyton Orient.
Two first half strikes from Daniel Agyei and Diallang Jaiyesimi gave Orient a commanding lead at the break, before a quick-fire second half strike from Brandon Cooper extended the O's' lead.
James Clarke pulled a goal back for County midway through the second period, but a late strike from Charlie Kelman booked a place in the next round for the O's.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made five changes to the side that faced Cheltenham Town on the weekend, as Kai Whitmore and Jacob Carney were handed their first competitive starts, while Kiban Rai, Nathan Wood and Luke Jephcott were all deployed in the starting XI.
It was the home side who made an assertive start to proceedings, netting the opening goal inside two minutes. Jayden Sweeney found the on-running Dan Agyei through on goal, who beat Kyle Jameson in a foot race before composedly finishing past the advancing Carney.
Looking to respond to their early set-up back, the Exiles had a first sight of goal on 10 minutes. A loose ball on the edge of the area was headed down by Jephcott into the path of Wood, however the winger was unable to fire an effort on target.
Trying to gain a foothold in the game, the Exiles came close again just minutes later. After some good interchange play between Jephcott and Rai, the latter broke through towards goal but was stopped in his tracks after some intellligent defending from Sean Clare. That was before Rai’s cross picked out McLoughlin but he was unable to connect with the wingers delivery.
At the other end, Orient repsonded with a couple of chnaces of their own. Most notably, Jaiyesimi was played through on goal after getting in between Jameson and Anthony Glennon but the forward failed to beat the on-rushing Carney.
Just before the break the home side doubled their advantage when Sean Clare’s inviting cross was met by Jaiyesimi, who fired a firm header past the outstretched Carney.
Half-Time
The second half began with the Orient on the front foot looking to add to their two-goal advantage. Just seven into the second period, the O's did that by adding a third when former Exile and Orient captain Cooper arrived from deep to attack O’Neills inviting cross.
Midway through the half, County did pull a goal back when substitute James Clarke rose above the Orient defenders, powering a header past the out-stretched Hemmings. Glennon’s high cross found the defender who netted his first goal of the campaign.
In a bid to change our attacking fortunes, Jardin made multiple changes introducing Cameron Antwi and Courtney Baker-Richardson into the fray. Immediately following the changes, the Exiles enjoyed a spell of possession which saw Kamwa go close just over the 70 minute walk.
However, the period of positivity ended swiftly when Orient hit County on the break in the 73rd minute. Substitute Kelman finished off a smart attacking move by rounding Carney before firing home a composed effort into the the empty net.
In the dying embers, the Exiles pushed in hope of securing an unlikely comeback, but they were unable to navigate a way through in E10.
Full-Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday afternoon, when they welcome Doncaster Rovers to Rodney Parade (3pm).
Leyton Orient: Hemmings, Clare (Brown 60'), Cooper, James, Sweeney, Warrington (Beckles 67'), Perkins, Galbraith (O'Neill 45'), Obiero, Jaiyesimi (Pratley 75'), Agyei (Kelman 59')
Subs: Howes, Welch, Pegrum, Chinedu.
Newport County: Carney, McLoughlin, Baker, Jameson (Clarke 59'), Glennon, Brennan (Antwi 70'), Whitmore, Wood (Kamwa 59'), Wildig, Rai (Baker-Richardson 70'), Jephcott (Evans 89')
Subs: Townsend, Thomas, Seberry.