Newport County exited the Bristol Street Motors Trophy after a 3-0 defeat away to Reading.
The Exiles conceded all three goals in the final 20 minutes, with Reading substitute Harvey Knibbs scoring a brace, while Jayden Wareham added another to seal the Royals' progression into the knockout stages.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made seven changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Tranmere Rovers at the weekend, including a first start for Shane McLoughlin in two months following a knee injury.
Only Aaron Wildig, Kyle Jameson, Bobby Kamwa, and Matt Baker retained their places in the starting lineup.
The match began at a frantic pace. Early on, Courtney Baker-Richardson tried to set up Kamwa in the box, but the ball was quickly cleared and launched down the pitch to Reading’s Lewis Wing, whose long-range effort from halfway almost caught Newport goalkeeper Jacob Carney off his line.
However, Carney made an excellent save to prevent an early Royals goal.
Reading came close again as Ben Elliott struck the bottom right post after a press from the hosts dispossessed Jameson in the box. Moments later, Kamwa curled a free kick just left of the post following a foul on Kai Whitmore by Amadou Mbengue, who was booked for the challenge.
Newport had their own chances, with Baker-Richardson nearly capitalising on a poor header back from Mbengue, but Reading keeper David Button was quick off his line to clear the danger. The Royals continued to apply pressure, with Wing testing Carney once again, but the keeper comfortably dealt with the shot.
Just before the break, Reading had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Wing set up Wareham for a shot, which was blocked. The rebound fell back to Wareham, but his effort looped over the bar and onto the roof of the net.
Half Time
The second half started as quickly as the first, with Kamwa delivering a dangerous low cross into the box, but it was blocked by a Reading defender. Baker-Richardson then had a chance, but his shot was saved well by Button.
Jardim made two substitutions just after the hour mark, bringing on Cameron Evans and Cameron Antwi. The pair combined shortly after, with Evans driving forward and laying the ball off to Antwi, whose shot was well saved low by Button.
Reading took the lead in the 74th minute when Knibbs, who had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes, latched onto a perfectly weighted lob from Wing to finish calmly on the half-volley. Just minutes later, they doubled their advantage as Campbell's cross found Wareham at the far post, and he tapped in for 2-0.
Wareham almost added a second shortly after, swiveling in the box and firing a shot that narrowly missed the target, hitting the side netting.
Newport responded with some pressure of their own, with Kamwa driving down the left wing and crossing for Greaves, whose poke at goal was deflected wide for a corner. The subsequent corner fell to Baker, but his attempt went over the bar as he leaned back to strike the ball.
Reading made it 3-0 in the 87th minute, with Knibbs completing his brace. Campbell delivered another excellent ball into the box, and Knibbs was left with an open goal to head home.
In injury time, Newport had a final opportunity to pull one back, with Kamwa playing Antwi through on goal, but his shot was saved comfortably by Button.
Full Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action this Saturday when they host Grimsby Town at Rodney Parade (3pm).
Reading: Button, Dorsett (Kanu 82’), Elliott, Wareham, Mbengue (Holzman 53’), Camara, Wing (C), Garcia, Akande (Campbell 64’), Ahmed (Craig 64’), Spencer (Knibbs 64’).
Substitutes: Boyce-Clarke, Rushesha.
Newport County: Carney, Thomas (Spellman 76’), Baker, Jameson (Clarke 46’), McLoughlin (C.Evans 63’), Whitmore (Antwi 63’), Wildig (C) (Bryn Morris 76’), K.Evans, Greaves, Baker-Richardson, Kamwa.
Substitutes: Townsend, Jephcott.
Attendance: 1,870 (177 away)
