NEWPORT County AFC warmed up for the visit of Manchester City with another fine display at Rodney Parade, but it turned out to be a deeply frustrating evening against MK Dons.

Michael Flynn’s men created a host of chances but they were denied by the woodwork on no less than four occasions.

And Paul Tisdale’s Dons, who also hit the post in the first half, stole all three points at the death as substitute Chuks Aneke stabbed home the winner two minutes from time to halt their recent poor run.

It was a bitter blow for County, who deserved so much more, but they can now focus all their energy on another massive weekend in the FA Cup.

Flynn made just two changes in preparation for the visit of City, with Fraser Franks returning from injury in place of Mark O’Brien and Ben Kennedy replacing Joss Labadie in midfield.

Tyreeq Bakinson forced visiting goalkeeper Stuart Moore into the first save of the game after four minutes and that set the tone for an open and entertaining first 45 minutes that was just missing a goal.

Callum Brittain fired over for the Dons and former Exiles loan star Alex Gilbey saw a fierce drive well saved by Joe Day.

At the other end, Mickey Demetriou tried his luck from distance but his first-time effort was straight at Moore before Jamille Matt and Franks headed off target.

The dangerous David Wheeler clipped the outside of the post and then fired wide from close range five minutes before the interval.

But it was Flynn’s men who created the better chances before the break.

Kennedy almost marked his home debut with a goal but he nodded wide and Padraig Amond then saw a header deflected behind at the far post.

A brilliant piece of skill allowed Scot Bennett to get away from his man on the right flank and he squared the ball for Matt, who failed to control the pass.

Demetriou then thudded a header against the bar from a corner and Matt couldn’t get enough on a tempting cross from Robbie Willmott.

The second half started in the same vein as Matt took advantage of a defensive slip almost straight from the kick-off but snatched at his shot and hooked it well wide.

South Wales Argus:

Bakinson went much closer five minutes later when he drove forward confidently and unleashed a rocket of a shot that bounced down off the underside of the bar and away to safety.

And County hit the woodwork for the third time soon afterwards when Franks’ opportunist strike rebounded off the post.

The Exiles were enjoying plenty of joy down the right, where Regan Poole and Willmott were combining well.

Poole forced a corner with a driven cross just before the hour mark and Willmott picked out Matt, who was denied by a smart stop from Moore.

Day had been a virtual spectator since the interval but he was alert to keep out Conor McGrandles’ shot on the turn as the Dons showed that they were still a threat on the break.

The chances continued to come at the other end, however, and County continued to hit the frame of the goal as Willmott crossed from the right and Kennedy’s header looped onto the angle of post and bar.

There was another nervy moment for the Exiles at the back as McGrandles headed wide under pressure at the far post and referee Kevin Johnson ignored his appeals for a penalty.

It looked as if both sides would have to settle for a point, which would in itself have been hard on County.

But disaster struck in the 88th minute when substitute Jake Hesketh’s snap shot was well saved by Day but fellow sub Aneke was on hand to score from the rebound and leave the Exiles cursing their luck.

County: Day; Poole, Franks (Sheehan, 90), Demetriou; Willmott, Bennett, Bakinson, Butler; Kennedy (Dolan, 70); Matt, Amond (Marsh-Brown, 82)

Subs not used: Townsend, Pipe, O’Brien, Azeez

Referee: Kevin Johnson

Attendance: 2,816 (140 MK Dons)

Argus star man: Bakinson