Newport County fell to a 2-1 defeat to AFC Wimbledon on Thursday evening.
Two second half goals for Wimbledon were enough to separate the sides despite an injury time strike from substitute Oliver Greaves.
A strong first half for the Exiles was undone by a goal from Josh Kelly early in the half before Romaine Sawyers wrapped up all three points for the Dons.
Newport County head coach, Nelson Jardim, made two changes to the starting eleven that were defeated in Walsall.
Jacob Carney started in goal as he replaced the injured Nick Townsend. The 23-year-old made his second league start of the season and fifth appearance in all competitions.
After newly extending his loan spell with the Exiles, Kyle Hudlin returned to the attack in the place of Luke Jepchott.
County started quickly with Michael Spellman who did brilliantly as he came off his wing and curled an ranged effort goalwards that was stopped by the fingertips of Owen Goodman.
After a great tackle by Whitmore, the ball was recycled out to Spellman who once again tested Goodman from range but the keeper reacted quickly to push the ball wide.
Minutes later, it was Whitmore who won the ball back strongly again before playing Bobby Kamwa through on goal. The winger did well to wriggle into the box and created space to shoot but his effort went just wide.
Newport County continued to apply pressure as Spellman drove into the box but was tackled by a Wimbledon defender. The tackle didn’t clear the danger as Hudlin reacted to a loose ball in the box before narrowly poking wide.
The Exiles remained on the front foot and were almost gifted an opener by Goodman as the keepers clearance from wide fell to Spellman. His subsequent effort was saved well by Goodman as the keeper made up for his mistake.
Shortly after, two big chances to open the scoring came for the Exiles. Kamwa forced Goodman into a save that fell to Whitmore who evaded his man with a lovely piece of skill before squaring the ball across the goal but no one was there to tap home.
Wimbledon tried to hit the Exiles on the break with Matty Stevens taking on Matt Baker unsuccessfully but the ball came to Josh Kelly whose shot wasn’t powerful enough to challenge Carney.
Kamwa proved to be a handful on the left hand side as he got the better of Riley Harbottle before playing the ball to Whitmore. The midfielders effort was held well by Goodman who got down low to the strike.
Just before the half, Carney made a great save to deny Stevens as the keeper got up high to tip his curling effort over.
Half time
In the 49th minute Wimbledon opened the scoring with Kelly being played in behind before he finished cooly in the bottom right corner.
The Exiles looked to respond in quick fashion and after a quick passing move McLoughlin was found in the box but wasn’t able to pick anyone out.
Both teams tried to get a foothold in the game but Wimbledon did well to prevent County getting any significant chances to level up the game.
McLoughlin took aim from distance but the right back couldn’t hit the target as his effort went just wide of the left post.
Jardim added fresh legs with just under fifteen minutes to go as Oliver Greaves and Jamie Miley replaced Spellman and Whitmore.
The Dons added another goal through second half substitute Romaine Sawyers who tucked away from just inside the box after he was picked out well by Kelly.
With just a few minutes before full time Wimbledon went close again with substitute Aron Sasu as the attacker tried to loop his headed effort over Carney.
In injury time Greaves got one back for the Exiles as his shot inside the box crept past a couple of Wimbledon bodies and into the bottom right corner.
The late goal proved to only be a consolation as the Exiles were unable to carve out any more chances to bring the score level.
Full time.
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action on Sunday as they host Morecambe (3pm).
Attendance: 4485 (358)
Newport County: Carney, Glennon, Baker, Brennan, Kamwa, Antwi, Whitmore (Miley 77’), Evans, McLoughlin (C) (Jameson 91’), Spellman (Greaves 77’), Hudlin (Jephcott 61’).
Substitutes: Webb, Clarke, Kargbo.
AFC Wimbledon: Goodman, Reeves (C), Johnson, Tilley (Furlong 80’), Kelly, Smith, Stevens (Sasu 84’), Harbottle (Sawyers 46’), Ogundere, Neufville, Hutchinson.
Substitutes: Ward, Biler, Hippolyte, Pigott.