A NEWPORT County AFC reserves side went down to a 4-1 defeat at Portsmouth this afternoon.

The team featured Jon Parkin, Rhys Healey, Paul Bignot, Liam Angel and Tom Owen-Evans.

Conor Chaplin headed the hosts ahead early on and Kal Naismith soon doubled their advantage.

Healey, on loan from Cardiff City, halved the deficit for County before half-time.

But Pompey cruised to a comfortable victory in the second half with two further goals from former Exiles loan star Michael Smith.

Republic of Ireland international Noel Hunt also featured for the hosts alongside Liam O’Brien, Adam Buxton, Dominic Hyam, Matt Clarke, Jack Whatmough, Brandon Haunstrup, Amine Linganzi and Ben Close.

The fixture was the opening match for both sides in the Central League Cup Group B southern section.

Exeter City and Bristol City are in the same group and meet tomorrow afternoon.

The Exiles next match in the competition is on Tuesday, October 25, when they host Bristol City at 1pm.

They then host Exeter on Tuesday, December 13, at 1pm.

A youthful County team was beaten 7-1 at Cheltenham Town in their first Central League South West fixture a fortnight ago.

Next Wednesday they are at home to AFC Wimbledon in the Central League South (kick-off 2pm).