DEFENSIVE errors, poor discipline and golden opportunities missed were at the heart of Newport's latest crushing defeat — 5-2 at home to Fareham Town — on Thursday under the St George's Park floodlights.

New Newport boss, Derek Ohren, made four changes to the starting line-up to the team that beat Bashley on Tuesday, with Liam Newbold and Scott Sampson in to replace Liam Triggs and Jack Turkington in defence, with Mark Taylor and Darren Powell replacing Martin McDonough and Aidan Radford in midfield.

On a heavy pitch, 'Port began brightly, with Charlie Urry and Radford both looking dangerous and in the ninth minute. Radford broke through, but was blocked by a last-ditch tackle inside the penalty area.

Three minutes later, Urry's shot was blasted over from the edge of the penalty area.

Newport's early pressure told and were awarded a penalty when Radford was pushed over — the referee having little hesitation in awarding the Islanders' spot kick, which Connor KELLY finished off efficiently into the top corner.

A couple of minutes later, Fareham were on level terms — scoring a scrambled finish from a corner Newport failed to clear.

It got even worse for Newport on 22 minutes when Fareham pounced on a ball needlessly given away in their defence.

On the half hour, things got from bad to worse for the home side when Spike Pearce was sent off for a reckless, two-footed challenge.

Radford was unlucky not to equalise five minutes' later with a header which flew just wide.

After the interval, the game became stretched, with chances falling to both sides, but Fareham’s one-man advantage told and they scored their third in the 49th minute, again, from a goalmouth scramble.

But Newport, rejuvenated after their win against Bashley, reduced the deficit the 57th minute — again, KELLY giving 'Port renewed hope with a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2–3.

Jared Wetherick almost immediately after the restart fluffed a great opportunity to equalise after being put through by Kelly, unable to beat the Fareham keeper when one-on-one with him.

Fareham delivered the archetypal sucker punch by scoring their fourth a minute later, with a strike past the despairing Gary Streeter from the edge of the penalty area.

Newport's misery was complete in the 85th minute when Fareham made it 5-2.

There was still time for Wetherick to blast across the face of goal and wide after being put through by Taylor.

Newport play in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier away at fifth-placed AFC Portchester this afternoon.

In the same league, Cowes Sports will be trying to hoist themselves nearer to safety at home to seventh-placed Horndean, kick off 3pm at Westwood Park, Park Road, Cowes.

Struggling East Cowes Vics will be at table-topping Christchurch in Division 1, but the Islanders can take heart from their 0-0 draw with them at home a fortnight ago.

Newport team v Fareham: Streeter, Turkington, Pearce, Sampson, Charlesworth, Taylor, Powell, Wetherick, Urry, Kelly, Radford. Subs: Turkington, McDonough, Holmes.