THERE will be no FA Cup windfall in the Newport County coffers this season following their 1-0 first round defeat at Morecambe, bur new boss James Rowberry hopes lessons can be learned to boost performances as his team progresses.

A goal with his first touch by former Cardiff City player Aaron Wildig condemned Rowberry to his first defeat as manager and gave League One side Morecambe another precious victory over their play-off final rivals of last season.

“There’s a natural disappointment at losing for the first time, but I think we showed our quality,” said Rowberry.

“Performance-wise, we just didn’t score. In the one moment in the game where we switched off they get the goal – that’s the difference between League One and League two possibly.

“Goals change games and with the amount of shots we had, I think it was 16 or 17 to their nine or 10, we’ve got to take our chances. Their goalkeeper also made some terrific saves.”

Kevin Ellison was thwarted in the second half at his old club as County tried to get the equaliser, but it was not to be.

Now they have to re-group for Tuesday night’s trip to Swindon Town for their last chance to get out of their pool in the Papa John’s Trophy.

“The players, staff and supporters have been fantastic since I arrived and long may that continue because we are going to have some ups and downs with how we are trying to do things," added Rowberry.

"Things like this will happen and we’ve got to bounce back from it.

“Next up we’ve got to concentrate on the Papa John’s Trophy game at Swindon on Tuesday.

"That will give an opportunity to certain lads who haven’t played to show what they can do.

"I’m keen we prepare well for that so we can try to get a result.”

After big wins over Bristol Rovers and Stevenage in his opening two matches, when his side scored eight goals, a first taste of defeat will have given Rowberry an insight into the pain and frustrations that come with management.

This week he has two away trips in the space of four days with the cup trip to Swindon being followed by a long haul to Hartlepool on Friday night.

Keeping the momentum he has created will be crucial.

“I promised the lads I would be consistent in my approach and we tried to do what we try to do," he said.

"I want to win every game and we tried to follow the process we have put in place and we’ve got to try to maintain that.

“We had our chances to win the game and I’m not going to point the finger at any individual. It is a collective thing.”