NELSON Jardim was disappointed that Newport County AFC’s ‘commitment and character’ failed to result in a win in Cheltenham to send the Amber Army wild.
The Exiles suffered an agonising 3-2 defeat at Whaddon Road to start the League Two campaign, taking no points from a game that could easily have yielded three.
County were 2-0 down after half an hour after goals by Cardiff City youngster Joel Colwill and Liam Dulson.
However, they were level at the break thanks to Courtney Baker-Richardson’s penalty, after impressive new winger Bobby Kamwa was fouled in the box, and a debut goal for Oliver Greaves.
The Exiles pushed for a winner and had the better chances with vice-captain James Clarke failing to hit the target with a golden opportunity in the first minute of added time.
That proved to be costly when Bluebirds talent Colwill slammed in a winner in the 96th minute when the visitors were finishing 10 men because of an injury to substitute Hamzad Kargbo and with left-back Anthony Glennon out of position because he had gone down.
BOSS: Head coach Nelson Jardim in his first game in charge of Newport County (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
“The first word is for the fans,” said Jardim, with County roared on by 1,046 after selling out their allocation. “They were great today and we felt their energy.
“First 20 minutes we were really on top, maybe for five minutes we lost our way and conceded two.
“The second word is for the players, who showed a lot of commitment and character. Only a great group can come from a difference of two goals back to 2-2.
“It’s very unfair that we lost the game. We should have won that game actually, taking into account the amount of goal-scoring chances that we had.
“We have to take this, learn from it and move on. We were also unlucky, playing with 10 at the end due to an injury after we had made all our substitutions.”
County only made four of their five allocated subs but had used their three allocated stoppages to bring on players.
They lick their wounds before a League Cup trip to Leyton Orient on Tuesday and a first Rodney Parade game of the campaign on Saturday against much-fancied Doncaster.
Kargbo is likely to face a lengthy lay-off after dislocating his shoulder, a blow that could mean around three months on the sidelines.
The giant 22-year-old striker was making his EFL debut after earning a deal following his release by QPR.
That may force County to consider adding to their firepower before the August 30 transfer deadline.
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