Wycombe Wanderers were left rueing a poor first half showing as Scott Boden consigned them to a second 1-0 defeat in a week.

The Newport County striker pounced in the 25th minute of the first half at Rodney Parade as the Blues route one approach proved to be ineffective.

Gareth Ainsworth’s side rallied considerably in the second half and had the chances to level but ultimately fell to a loss that leaves them chasing a play-off spot in ninth.

Rowan Liburd made his debut for the Blues after joining on loan from Reading yesterday and showed some fine touches in the opening exchanges.

The Reading loanee’s size alone was causing Newport problems and he was proving to be Wycombe’s best attacking option as his hold-up play brought others into the game.

A deftly controlled chest from the burly striker set Sam Wood up on the edge of the box but he could only hit a right footed volley down into the ground and wide early on.

The 23-year-old’s strong start would be nullified somewhat throughout the first half as the Blues’ approach became more direct and he began to cut an isolated figure.

The Exiles were, perhaps understandably, coping better with the treacherous conditions under foot and forced the first save of the afternoon as Conor Wilkinson drove a low shot in from 20 yards in the fourth minute.

Ryan Allsop did well to get the initial effort but could only parry to Alex Rodman, who somehow managed to fire wide from close range with the goal at his mercy.

Both sides were struggling to build up any genuine momentum as conditions dictated a style of play which relied more on grit than guile.

Luke O’Nien, however, went within inches of producing a moment of quality as he hit a dipping volley just over the bar shortly after the 20 minute mark.

The effort did not last long in the memory though, as moments later the Blues were behind, thanks largely to the powerful running of John Ayina who skipped past Sido Jombati before squaring for Boden to turn home.

It was a fine show of pace from the left winger and left Boden with the simplest of finishes from inside the six-yard box.

With half-time fast approaching the Blues were looking for a moment of inspiration to find a route back into the game and Joe Jacobson almost provided it as his free kick curled narrowly wide.

It was a close as Wanderers’ came to a leveller in a half in which they failed to match their opponents for creativity and at times intensity.

Wanderers have not won a game on the road having gone behind since November 2014, but started the second half with renewed attacking impetus as top Scorer, Garry Thompson, replaced Sam Wood.

Thompson joined Paul Hayes and Liburd in a front three and almost had an instant impact as the former sent him clear inside the box.

His low drive was goal bound but Joe Day got down well to save at with his legs at the near post and deny Thompson his eighth goal of the season.

The hosts then went close to doubling their lead in the 50th minute as Boden was denied a second by a superb save form Allsop who sprung to his right to turn the forwards’ header away.

The change in formation had a clear impact for Wanderers as the front three continued to connect and find space in the final third.

The time it was Liburd’s turn to work Day as he turned inside the box and crashed a shot at goal. While his effort had power it lacked direction and the Exiles’ keeper managed to get his body behind the ball and shovel it away from danger.

Liburd went even closer to finding the elusive equaliser for Wycombe in the 65th minute as he smashed a rising shot against the bar.

He first showed great strength to hold of a Newport defender before swivelling and driving his right-footed effort past a helpless Day and against the woodwork.

The introduction of Thompson had coincided with the Blues’ best phase of the game and the 35-year-old rounded of a frenetic 30 minutes with a low strike from distance, which deflected just wide of the County upright.

Almost inevitably, Wanderers’ greater attacking effort left them susceptible to counter attacks and a misunderstanding between Aaron Pierre and Jason McCarthy left referee, Ross Joyce, With a decision to make.

McCarthy allowed a ball to run leading Pierre to clearly foul Wilkinson as he chased down his centre-back the loose ball. With Pierre arguably the last man he would have feared the worst, however Royce spared the fit again defender.

With Wycombe now finding it hard to create again, Bodden really should have settled matters with three minutes to play.

The Exiles top scorer was picked out with a well-placed cross but panicked and miscued from six yards to bobble a volley harmlessly wide.

By now the visitors were running on empty and bar the old moment of confusion in the box failed to create any clear cut chances. The Blues will now turn their attention to the visit of Stevenage next Saturday.

Newport County: Day; Holmes, Jones, Donacien, Hughes, Rodman (Gosling 65), Klukowski, Byrne (C), Ayina, Boden (Davies 90), Wilkinson

Subs not used: Green; Barrow, Morgan, Owen-Evans, Meechan

Wycombe Wanderers: Allsop; Jombati (Bloomfield 74), McCarthy, Pierre, Jacobson, Harriman, O’Nien, McGinn, Wood (Thompson 45), Hayes (C) (83 Ugwu), Liburd

Subs not used: Richardson; Stewart, Stewart, Sellers, Kretzschmar

Bookings: Jombati (foul 72), Pierre (79 foul on Wilkinson), Jacobson (90 foul on Gosling)

Referee: Ross Joyce

Attendance: 2,375 (302)