Kaid Mohamed struck a 45th-minute debut goal to give Bristol Rovers a 1-0 lead over Newport County at half time at a blustery Memorial Ground.
John-Joe O'Toole sent a shot wide for the home side in a quiet opening 20 minutes, which were hampered severely by strong winds.
After 25 minutes, Mohamed wasted a good chance to score his first Rovers goal on his debut for the club before Chris Beardsley nodded over the bar.
The away side looked the likelier side to break the deadlock as half time approached, with Steve Mildenhall saving well from Rene Howe and Lee Minshull.
However, just seconds before the half-time whistle, Mohamed beat Lenny Pidgeley with a powerful effort to give his team the advantage.
