Ten-man Newport County suffered a cruel 2-1 defeat to Cheltenham Town in their opening Bristol Street Motors Trophy fixture at Rodney Parade.
Kieron Evans had given the Exiles a first-half lead only for the game to swing in the visitors’ favour after the break following the dismissal of goalkeeper Jacob Carney in the 43rd minute for a foul on the edge of the box.
Cheltenham took full advantage to level the score through Harrison Sohna two minutes after the restart, with Joel Colwill grabbing the winner eight minutes later.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made seven changes to his starting XI following Saturday's 1-0 victory over Morecambe at the Mazuma Stadium.
In defence, Cameron Evans earned his first start in black and amber, while Jacob Carney stepped in for Nick Townsend as the new man between the sticks.
Noah Mawene and Kieron Evans, who impressed off the bench against Morecambe, were rewarded with their first starts, while Oliver Greaves and Luke Jephcott returned to bolster Jardim’s line-up.
The midfield saw an exciting debut, as Jamie Miley, newly signed on a season-long loan from Premier League giants Newcastle United, made his first appearance for the club.
Keen to maintain their run of good form, the Exiles began the first half positively, with Jephcott’s perfectly weighted through ball sending Greaves through on goal. However, the attacker's shot from a tight angle was saved by Joe Day.
Continuing to apply pressure, Mawene used some tricky skill to create space and fire in a low cross that found Kieron Evans on the far side of the box, but the Welshman’s first-time shot was blocked.
Just minutes later, Miley picked up the ball on the edge of the Robins’ box and looked to score his first goal in black and amber, but his long-range effort was dragged narrowly past the post.
After some brilliant build-up play, the Exiles finally broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute. Shane McLoughlin delivered a precise low cross that threaded its way through the crowded box, finding Kieron Evans, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of Day's goal.
Searching for an equaliser, a Cheltenham attacker broke through on goal but was abruptly taken down by the rushing Carney. The Exiles’ keeper was dismissed by the referee, reducing Newport to 10 men as Nick Townsend replaced Greaves.
Despite the setback, the Exiles were able to hold onto their lead and went into half-time 1-0 up.
Half-time
As the teams prepared for the second half, a strategic change was made with the introduction of Nelson Sanca. The young defender took to the pitch, replacing Anthony Glennon, who had been a steady presence in the first half.
Cheltenham started the second half on the front foot. A corner led to a scramble in Newport’s penalty area, resulting in a close-range shot that rattled off the crossbar, with the follow-up effort being brilliantly blocked.
Just minutes later, the Exiles responded with a chance of their own. Mawene beat his marker with some clever skill and managed to get his shot off, but the effort was comfortably parried away by Day.
Maintaining their bright start, the Robins came close to getting their equaliser as a floated cross found Ryan Haynes alone in the box. The former Exile's header came off the far side of the post.
Midway through the half, Cheltenham Town found the equaliser. The ball dropped to Sohna just inside the box, and the midfielder thundered a half-volley into the top corner of Townsend’s net.
In the 75th minute, the visitors took the lead. A lofted ball found Colwill, whose wonderful first touch allowed him to place the ball into the bottom corner of Newport’s goal, making it 2-1.
Towards the end of the match, Cheltenham Town had the opportunity to score a third. The ball was cut back to Jordan Thomas on the edge of the box, and his low first-time effort forced a remarkable save from Townsend.
Full-time
Attendance: 1,051 (77 away)
The Exiles return to League Two action on Saturday afternoon as they face Port Vale at Rodney Parade (3 pm).
Newport County: Carney (red card 43’), Glennon (Sanca 45’), C. Evans, Jameson, Baker, McLoughlin (Kamwa 56’), Mawene, Miley (Brennan 72’), K. Evans, Greaves (Townsend 44’), Jephcott (Hudlin 56’)
Substitutes: Rai, Babah
Cheltenham Town: Day, Haynes, Kinsella, Laing, Bradbury, Taylor (C) (Archer 57’), Miller (Thomas 57’), Norkett (Dulson 57’), Colwill, Sohna, Pett
Substitutes: Evans, Bowman, Bakare, Wilcox
The Exiles return to League Two action on Saturday afternoon as they face Port Vale at Rodney Parade (3pm). Ticket are still available and can be purchased HERE.