PLAYER RATINGS: Swindon Town (0) v (2) Newport County

SWINDON TOWN suffered their third home loss of the season as promotion rivals Newport County ran out two-nil winners at the County Ground. Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi gave his Robins player ratings following the action.

GK: Luke McCormick (5.5)

Bailed out Fryers after 11 minutes as the centre-back's poor back-pass needed McCormick to clear before Jamille Matt had the chance to capitalise. Didn't have a chance with either goal. Made a hash of a corner, but redeemed himself by pulling off a crucial stop on the stroke of half-time. Distribution is often dodgy and he has to improve on claiming the ball with the experienced 'keeper often susceptible to dropping it.

RB: Rob Hunt (5)

Was bullied at times by Tristan Abrahams as the Newport attacker often brushed Hunt aside down the right. Moved further upfield in a four-man midfield for the second-half as the hosts pushed to salvage something from the game. 

CB: Zeki Fryers  (4.5) 

His poor back-pass almost gifted the visitors the opener, but McCormick was on hand to spare his blushes. Looked for more long-balls rather than playing out from the back. His initial header was poor for Newport's second which eventually saw Amond get past him with ease.

CB: Dion Conroy (N/A)

Went in for a 50/50 early in the game and Town's captain looked to have injured the same knee he has had issues with in the past. Was replaced by Adam May. 

LB: Ellis Iandolo (6)

Looked a threat down the left and his mazy run almost produced the opener but his shot was well blocked by Josh Sheehan. Was lively and always looked to create a moment of magic down the left.

RM: Lloyd Isgrove (6.5)

Had his effort saved by King just after the half-hour mark which almost put Swindon ahead. Looked lively and almost pulled Swindon level just before half-time, but King was once again equal to it. Had a glorious chance to restore parity but his effort crashed off the bar. Like Iandolo, the 26-year-old was lively but was nowhere near his best. 

CM: Anthony Grant (5.5) 

Started the game in the middle of the park before slotting in at centre-back in the place of Dion Conroy. Did an adequate job at the back considering it's not his typical position, but it was evident that it isn't his natural position.

CM: Danny Rose (5)

Was given the captaincy following Conroy's injury, but failed to really rally Town as they looked lost following Conroy's absence. Had a better second-half but the midfield were bypassed by Newport far too often. Replaced by Tyler Reid with ten minutes left. 

LM: Kaiyne Woolery (5)

Was the only change from the side that beat Cambridge as he came in for the injured Keshi Anderson. Almost put Swindon ahead after 14 minutes as Isgrove's pinpoint cross saw Woolery's effort well saved by Tom King. Linked up well down the left with Iandolo in the first-half, but was quiet in the second, before being subbed off for Doughty.

ST: Jerry Yates (5)

Had a quiet first-half with his goal-bound shot blocked in an opening 45 minutes which saw Yates and Doyle feeding off scraps. Pressed well, but didn't have much joy as the Newport defence did well to keep Yates and Doyle quiet. 

ST: Eoin Doyle (4.5)

Didn't track O'Brien well enough and was made to pay as he headed home Newport's goal from the corner. Newport's back-line did well to keep the Bradford-loanee quiet as he was fairly poor for a majority of the game.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Adam May (6)

Was subbed on for the injured Dion Conroy and showed what Wellens saw in him during the week as his impressive passes created a couple of openings for Town in the first-half and tried to create in the second-half but often to no avail.

Michael Doughty (6)

Was lively when he came on, however, he failed to create an equaliser with Town instead going two-nil down. 

Tyler Reid (4)

Replaced Rose, but didn't deal with Jamille Matt's run as he put Newport 2-0 ahead with ten minutes left which killed the game off. Not the greatest cameo from the former Newport-loanee.