Newport County 0-1 Rochdale: Jimmy Ball gives visitors victory

Jimmy Ball's early header was enough to earn Rochdale victory at Newport County, but they remain one place off the bottom of League Two.

The hosts could not produce an equaliser after boss James Rowberry had urged them to play "front-foot" football on the eve of the encounter.

Mickey Demetriou and Lewis Collins were among the Newport players denied as the game wore on.

Despite defeat, Newport remain 18th in the table.

Newport boss James Rowberry:

"It's bitterly disappointing. It's difficult when you lose to a team that's bottom of the league at home and we need to improve that - we realise there's work to do.

"It was a really poor goal to concede and I'm obviously disappointed in that.

"In the second half we showed a lot of spirit if you like to go forward and create chances. Ultimately we've lost the game and we know we need to do better."