Newport County's young guns bowed out of the GLS Conference Cup in a blaze of glory last night, going down 4-3 at Forest Green Rovers after extra time.

But County's patchwork side went out with heads held high after pushing the Conference side all of the way in an entertaining third round cup-tie at the Lawn.

With no Scott Morgan or Andrew Thomas due to injuries and Jason Bowen on the bench, County fielded a even more youthful side than usual but the performance will give them plenty of hope ahead of Saturday's crucial relegation battle with St Albans at Spytty Park.

The Exiles have an impressive record at The Lawn, which actually resembled more of a potato field, and after former Rover Darren Jones hammered home his own rebound from a John Phillips cross to give the Exiles the lead after 19 minutes and John Phillips linked up with Sam O'Sullivan to fire a half-volley after 37 minutes, it looked as though another victory would be forthcoming.

But the hosts fought back with Jon Beswetherick grabbing a goal before the break and Charlie Griffin levelled the scores just three minutes after the break after punishing a mistake from stand-in centre back Matthew Morris.

Skipper Darren Jones, who once again had an outstanding match, almost regained the lead as he tried to bulldoze his way through a melee in the six- yard box but he could not find a route through the chaos.

Instead it was Forest Green who took the lead as substitute Lee Davis turned home a Beswetherick cross.

County did not give up and took the tie to extra time when the impressive John Phillips rifled in a superb drive from the edge of the box in the final minute of normal time.

As is often the case, extra time was cagey but County had a couple of glorious chances to get in front with Sam O'Sullivan twice going close, one of which a header that glanced agonisingly past the post.

By now County had nine players under 22 years-old on the pitch and seven under 20, and the were further hindered by injury to Lee Phillips, who was forced to play on in considerable discomfort as all of the substitutes had been used.

The match was in the balance until five minutes into the second period of extra time when Beswetherick found space on the edge of the County box and his left foot shot took a wicked deflection past Andrew Delve and into the net.

Newport threw everything at Rovers in a hectic closing spell but their considerable efforts were not rewarded as time finally ran out on their cup campaign.

Forest Green: D Williams, Green, Burns, Garner, D Davies (Lyttle 107), Roberts, Rogers, Gadsby, Beswetherick, Alsop, Griffin (Davis 63). Subs not used: Perrin, Richardson, Beesley. Booked: Rogers (foul 68), Griffin (foul 45).

Newport County: Delve, Evans, L Phillips, Davies, Morris (Brimfield 93), D Jones, G Jones (Bowen 85), A Williams, Moralee (Hooper 85), J Phillips, O'Sullivan. Subs not used: Passmore, Mouncher. Booked: G Jones (foul 45), N Davies (foul 118). Referee: A Turner (Exeter). Attendance: 223.