NEWPORT County went down to a 2-1 pre-season defeat as Barry Town United got a morale boost ahead of the Cymru Premier.

The hosts deservedly took the spoils at Jenner Park Stadium to have a spring in their step ahead of next weekend’s opener against Bala.

County, meanwhile, must keep working hard ahead of their August 10 League opener at Cheltenham.

Let's not forget that last summer they lost to Sheffield FC and Yeovil before an encouraging start to the campaign.

It was 1-1 at the break with Aaron Wildig’s calm finish cancelled out by County academy coach Kayne McLaggon on the turn.

Barry hit the front approaching the hour when Aiden Lewis curled in a free-kick and they held on against an Exiles XI that failed to convince in attack or pose as many questions as the first-half selection did.

Nelson Jardim’s squad headed to the seaside after victories against Undy of Ardal SE and Pontypridd United of Cymru South.

After a result in Barry that no doubt lead to some doom-mongering, they now need to up their game for a stern behind-closed-doors test at Bristol City.

Last summer the Championship side romped to an 8-0 win at their training base.

DANGEROUS: Anthony Glennon was a threat down County's leftDANGEROUS: Anthony Glennon was a threat down County's left (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

County once again featured former QPR striker Hamzad Kargbo, who was given a starting role in the middle of a front three.

That was in the continued absence of Will Evans and Courtney Baker-Richardson; another 3G pitch meant a cautious approach was taken with niggles.

Midfielder Bryn Morris, who was hobbling after Tuesday’s win in Treforest, was another to sit out the third friendly.

County had a lucky escape early on when a shot was deflected narrowly wide but they got their noses in front in the 15th minute.

Left-back Anthony Glennon, who looks a promising addition from Grimsby, put a low cross in that eluded the defence and was calmly side-footed in by experienced midfielder Wildig.

The right post saved Barry from it being a quickfire double, a Glennon dinked ball from the right after a corner glancing off a defender’s head.

They made the most of that escape to level in the 22nd minute when the Exiles failed to deal with a free-kick and McLaggon was able to turn in the box and score off the underside of the bar.

County had a chance to restore their lead on the half hour but Kargbo failed to hit the target from another wicked ball by Glennon.

Wildig, with clever movement in this new style and shape, was pulling the strings and one of his passes led to Shane McLoughlin getting a mouthful of sand after falling into the long jump pit in pursuit of the ball.

It was 1-1 at the break when County changed nine of their outfield players, with sitting midfielder Ciaran Brennan the survivor.

Right-back Cameron Evans, a former Swansea academy prospect most recently with Taunton, and left-back Ellis Williams, from Newport and recently with Ammanford, got a chance along with a fellow triallist up front.

County were pinned in their third when trying to play out at the start of the half and that almost led to a Barry second but Jacob Carney was alert to tip a shot over.

However, the summer signing would have been a little disappointed to be beaten by a free-kick in the 58th minute, Lewis curling an effort in from around 25 metres.

James Clarke headed over from a corner after 75 minutes as the Exiles pushes for an equaliser but Barry held firm.