Bolton Wanderers' 14-game unbeaten run came to an end in South Wales as Nicky Maynard’s second-half strike made the visitors pay for not taking their chances early in the game.
Ian Evatt’s men were the better team throughout most of the contest but a failure to convert any of their numerous chances ultimately proved their downfall.
The Wanderers boss made two changes from the side that were held to a scoreless draw against Colchester United at the University of Bolton Stadium on Good Friday.
Lloyd Isgrove and George Thomason returned to the starting XI at the expense of Arthur Gnahoua and Dapo Afolayan, the latter of whom was named among the substitutes.
Matt Gilks had to gather the ball at the second attempt in the opening moments of the game after Liam Shephard whipped in the ball from the right-hand side.
Wanderers almost got themselves in front when Eoin Doyle hit the crossbar with a volley after latching on to a pinpoint cross from Isgrove who had skinned his way past David Longe-King on the right-hand flank.
Minutes later and Gilks was at full stretch to keep out a well-struck effort from Maynard.
At the other end, Doyle took a lovely touch from Ricardo Almeida Santos’ long-range pass and rounded the keeper; however, his ball back into the box was cleared for a corner with Wanderers’ players screaming for handball.
Great play from the visitors resulted in George Thomason’s long-range right-footer deflecting for a corner.
Declan John’s short corner to Isgrove came back to the Welshman and his right footed drive came off a County defender for another set-piece.
Almeida Santos got an important block in to prevent Ryan Taylor from getting the ball into the danger area after Newport broke into the Wanderers half.
Thomason’s cross-shot was inches away from drifting into the top corner as the ball fell into his path following Isgrove’s corner.
A loose pass from Josh Sheehan allowed Isgrove in but the winger’s low cross evaded the Wanderers attackers and the ball was cleared.
Doyle then hit the side netting after Kieran Lee’s pass put the Irishman in.
Lee should have buried a header from Gethin Jones’ delightful cross. The midfielder only needed to get a firm touch on the ball but instead glanced it and the chance went away.
The visitors made a change during the break with Lewis Collins coming on for Longe-King; Wanderers, meanwhile, remained unchanged.
Newport earned a corner early into the second half when Maynard’s shot came off a Wanderers player to go behind.
The hosts lost the services of central defender Priestley Farquharson who limped off with an ankle injury. Veteran Joe Ledley came on for him.
Newport took the lead on 63 minutes against the run of play through Maynard. Wanderers didn’t sufficiently clear a contentious free-kick and although Gilks’ parried away a goalbound effort the striker was in the right place at the far post to poke home from close range.
Evatt made a triple substitution with just under 20 minutes remaining with Afolayan, Elbouzedi, and Maddison coming on for Delfouneso, Isgrove, and Willams.
John fired just wide after Elbouzedi picked out Afolayan wide on the left and the midfielder cut the ball back for the Welshman.
Gilks made a stunning save diving to his left to keep out Maynard after the ball made its way to the tricky striker who lost his marker and fired towards goal.
An audacious attempt from Maddison from 30 yards out went narrowly wide as his left-footed curler had the County keeper scrambling.
Afolayan’s run into the box carved open a chance for Elbouzedi but the Irishman’s strike went high and wide of goal.
Right at the whistle Newport somehow managed to keep the ball from close range after Wanderers threw everything they could to salvage a point. Alex Baptiste had met a John cross to head towards goal, but the ball couldn't be forced home.
Newport County: Townsend, Farquharson (Ledley 59), Dolan, Longe-King (Collins 46), Shephard, Labadie, Sheehan, Bennett, Lewis, Taylor, Maynard (Ellison 82).
Subs Not Used: King, Scrimshaw, Telford, Amond.
Goal: Maynard (63)
Bolton Wanderers: Gilks, John, Jones, Williams, (Elbouzedi 72) Almeida Santos, Isgrove (Afolayan 72), Lee, Doyle, Delfouneso (Maddison 72), Thomason.
Subs Not Used: Jensen, Tutte, Miller, Brockbank
