County floored at the Lawn

A DISASTROUS 10-minute spell in the second-half proved costly for Newport County who suffered a 4-3 defeat to National League outfit Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn in their latest preseason outing.

Rhys Murphy put the home side infront early on – but goals from new recruit Marlon Jackson and former Rovers forward Sean Rigg (right) either side of the restart looked set to fire The Exiles to victory in Gloucestershire.

But Kieffer Moore added to a Matt Tubbs brace in the second-half, with Jennison Myrie-Williams pulling a goal back from the spot late on, as County suffered defeat in a hugely entertaining affair.

Rovers were in-front after five minutes as new signing Christian Doidge guided a header into the path of Murphy who slotted beyond Joe Day. Warren Feeney’s men soon settled and equalised just before the half hour mark as Jackson headed home from a Mark Randall cross. Randall himself went close to giving the visitors the lead with a thumping volley from 25-yards out before Rigg curled an effort wide as the score remained level at the break.

Feeney resisted the temptation to make changes at the break - and the decision paid dividends as County took the lead in the 58th minute through Rigg who rounded keeper Sam Russell after a counter-attack to put the visitors 2-1 up. But Tubbs netted twice in five minutes before Moore gave his side a two-goal cushion to put the hosts in command. Myrie-Williams converted a penalty late on – but it was not enough as Rovers held on for victory.