Newport County Under-18s exited the FA Youth Cup after a 3-1 defeat to Swindon Town at the County Ground on Tuesday night.
Ant McCormick opened the scoring for the Robins with a superb header in the first half, before Moses Alexander-Walker equalised shortly after the interval.
Despite a spirited second-half, two quick-fire late strikes from Miles Obodo and Botan Ameen sealed County’s fate in the first round of the competition.
Academy manager Luke Hussey made three changes to the side that earned a hard-fought draw at Portsmouth over the weekend, bringing Riley Lonergan, Jac Norris, and Corey Evans back into the starting eleven.
The home side made an assertive start, carving out an opportunity within the first minute. Ameen executed a smart run behind the Exiles' backline, but Fraser Needham pulled off a brilliant diving save to deny him.
Continuing to apply early pressure, the Robins nearly opened the scoring minutes later. Obodo managed to beat Needham to a long kick, but a last-ditch tackle from Tomos Lloyd prevented him from getting a shot on target.
Swindon’s persistence paid off in the 13th minute. After a well-worked throw-in, captain McCormick met George Alston’s deep cross at the back post and buried a neat header to put the Robins ahead.
Desperate to find a way back into the game, the young Exiles came close on the half-hour mark. Corey Evans showcased impressive footwork down the left, getting past Liam Hutt, but the Robins defender recovered just in time to thwart Evans’s effort at goal.
As the Exiles began to find their rhythm, Evans came close again just minutes later. After recycling a deep cross, he cut inside and forced Lucas Myers into a strong save in search of an equaliser.
In the 39th minute, Newport created their best chance of the half when Orphee Bony delivered a neat pass to Evans in the box. Evans turned his man and fired a shot, but Myers was equal to it, maintaining the Robins' lead.
Just before the break, Swindon nearly doubled their advantage. Josh Terry made a clever front-post run to meet Alston’s corner, but his header glanced just wide. Dani Gonzalez then powered a left-footed strike inches off target before the half-time whistle blew.
Half-Time
The young Exiles burst out of the blocks in the second half, equalising just minutes after the restart. Lonergan’s curling cross found the on-rushing Alexander-Walker, who tucked home a deft finish to level the scores.
With the Exiles in the ascendancy, Norris took aim from the edge of the area moments later. His low, teasing free-kick forced a routine save from Myers. Wales Under-17 international Harri Pugh was next to go close for County, firing a powerful low effort that was expertly kept out by the outstretched Myers.
At the other end, a swift counter-attack saw Obodo advance towards goal, but he was pressured well by defender Sam Watkins and failed to get a shot off.
Against the run of play, the Robins retook the lead with just fifteen minutes remaining. Obodo controlled a high ball inside the box before firing a brilliant effort past the outstretched Needham.
Just seconds later, Swindon added to their lead. A well-paced move allowed Ameen the time and space he needed inside the area, and he made no mistake with a calm finish.
In the dying embers, County were awarded a penalty as they pushed hard for a way back into the game, but Lonergan couldn’t convert from the spot, bringing an end to their FA Youth Cup journey.
Full Time
The young Exiles return to action on November 9 when they host Bristol Rovers in the EFL Youth Alliance (11am).
Swindon Town: Myers, Hutt, Chard, Foie, McCormick (C), Stewart, Ameen, Terry, Obodo, Gonzalez, Alston.
Substitutes: Britchford-Stanley, Robinson, Larkins, Gray, Owiti, Betts, Tombs.
Newport County: Needham, Watkins, M. Evans (Rowsell 76'), Pugh, Sanca (C), Lloyd, Alexander-Walker (Barrett 65'), Lonergan, Bony, Norris (Davison 76'), C.Evans (Jones 87').
Substitutes: Price.