STUTTERING form in the Welsh Premiership means Newport will now be turning their attention to an assault on the Konica Minolta Cup.

That bid starts on Saturday with a home fourth-round clash against Merthyr as the Black and Ambers attempt to get something out of their season.

"We have lost the last three league games but we now have got a cup round, so there is a chance to focus on that," reflected Newport coach David Rees.

"I've said to the players there is a massive need to have a huge focus in every round of the cup.

"And hopefully, over the next few weeks, we will get some of our key players, like Matthew Veater and Alex Walker, back from injury."

But though it was a disappointing defeat against Swansea, who were boosted by the inclusion of Ospreys outside-half Matthew Jones, Rees was not downhearted about the performance.

"We have played some of our best rugby over the last month, but unfortunately because we had key players missing, from the likes of our line-out, we couldn't sustain any pressure," said the coach.

"Probably the difference in the sides at the end of the day was Matthew Jones' control at No. 10. "By his standards he would probably be disappointed with his performance, but what he did give them was field position.

"What I would say is, it was a good advert for the premiership. It was good and expansive. Yes, there were mistakes, but you are going to get that when two sides try to play a bit of rugby."

The disappointing thing for Newport was that they did lead twice.

They opened the scoring with a try for wing Richard Fussell before Swansea locked the scores at 5-5 on the stroke of half-time with the first of two tries for full-back Nicky Thomas.

And Daniel Griffiths put them in front again with a penalty at the start of the second half.

But Swansea's edge up front gradually paid dividends and they totted up 13 unanswered points with their second try, converted by Jones, who then put over a dropped goal and a penalty.

Newport finished strongly but Griffiths missed a penalty, and then the visitors spurned a golden opportunity of a try when Jonny Vaughton tracked back to stop Will Jones in his tracks.

Swansea: N Thomas, A Bramwell (R Jones 73), J Vaughton, D Watts, N Jones, M Jones, R Rees, L May, R Hibbard, A Clatworthy, A Wyn Jones, N Thomas, D Davies, G Newman (capt), G Jones. Scorers: tries - N Thomas (2); con - M Jones; dr-gl: M Jones; pen - M Jones.

Newport: R Williams (A Thomas 79), R Shorney (capt), R Payne, A Smith, R Fussell, D Griffiths, M Thomas (G Crothers 79), D Pattison (I Evans 77), R James (A Brown 31), G Robinson, M Workman, B Thomson (W Jones 64), S Waldron (P Williams 40), R Oakley, M Popham. Scorers: try - R Fussell; pen - D Griffiths. Referee: Matthew Aplin (Pontardawe).