Newport County fell to a 2-0 defeat away to league leaders Walsall on Sunday afternoon.
A second half brace from Nathan Lowe saw Walsall earn all three points at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
Despite dominating a large amount of the possession and battling all game the Exiles were beaten by Walsall who extended their lead at the top to 12 points.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made two changes to the starting eleven that were defeated in Bromley.
Luke Jephcott returned upfront in the place of Kyle Hudlin and Kai Whitmore took the place of Bryn Morris after scoring off the bench against the Ravens.
Summer signing Hamzad Kargbo returned to the match day squad for the first time since August after injury, as he offered his services from the bench.
It was a fast start for the Saddlers who tried to get in behind the Exiles defence with Lowe. The inform attacker was stopped in his tracks by Matt Baker who did brilliantly to get in front of him and snuff out the early danger.
A few minutes later, Anthony Glennon played Michael Spellman through on the left hand side and the winger did brilliantly to drive into the box before flashing a ball across the box. Unfortunately, nobody was there to tap in but moments later Spellman delivered another cross that forced Tommy Simkin to push the ball away.
After a few early chances for both sides, Newport County dominated possession for a large spell and controlled the tempo, but were unable to carve out any big chances.
Newport County looked to hit the Saddlers on the counter-attack after a goalless thirty minutes. Spellman showed his pace and sent a brilliant diagonal ball out to Bobby Kamwa who cut inside but his shot was blocked.
The first shot on target of the game fell to ex-exile, Jamille Matt, who diverted a header toward goal but he was unable to generate enough power to trouble Nick Townsend.
Moments later, Lowe was played into the box and smashed a strike straight at Townsend who held the powerful effort well.
Just before the break, Lowe had a huge chance to open the scoring from a corner. Charlie Lakin found the number seven in the box but the attacker was unable to hit the target with a free header.
Half Time
In the opening of the second half, Walsall came out firing with Matt who tried to flick a header home from a David Okagbue cross that just went wide.
It was Matt once again who took up a good position in the box but he was unable to get on the end of a dangerous Liam Gordon delivery.
Battling away, Whitmore did excellently to get onto a loose high ball and used his body to win a free kick for the Exiles. The free kick that followed was struck by Kieron Evans who did well to get it over the wall but didn’t trouble Simkin in goal.
Newport County got another free kick moments later that was worked well by Glennon who slipped in Spellman. Unfortunately the wingers effort was blocked superbly by a sliding Walsall defender.
The Saddlers and Lowe went close to opening the scoring once again. After a cross in the box fell to Lowe, the striker cushioned the ball off his left boot towards the right corner but he just dragged it wide.
Just minutes later, Lowe corrected his miss as he turned in with just over fifteen minutes to go. From the second phase of a corner, Jack Earing’s cross into the box was met by Taylor Allen who knocked it down to Lowe before the striker poked home.
With ten minutes left to go, Ryan Stirk forced Townsend into a wonderful outstretched save to deny the midfielder’s well hit volley flying into the left hand corner.
In injury time, Walsall tried to test Newport County’s resolve as Allen whipped in an accurate ball but late substitute, Donervon Daniels, was unable to meet the ball.
With the very last kick of the game Lowe doubled his and Walsall’s tally for the evening. A looping long ball sent Lowe through on goal and he emphatically volleyed past the right of Townsend.
Full Time
Newport County: Townsend, Glennon, Brennan, Baker, McLoughlin (C), Whitmore (Jameson 86’), K.Evans, Antwi (Miley 76’), Spellman (Greaves 76’), Jepchott (Kargbo 76’), Kamwa (Hudlin 86’).
Substitutes: Carney, Clarke.
Walsall: Simkin, Barrett, Gordon, Lowe, Lakin (Earing 59’, Daniels 89’), Matt (C) (Adomah 59’), Allen, Jellis (McEntee 59’), Williams, Stirk, Okagbue.
Substitutes: Hornby, Weir, Johnson.
Newport County return to action on the 2nd of January as they host Wimbledon
