The sides met earlier in the season on League Cup duty recording a 1-1 draw.
This was another close match but Merpro managed to collect all three points due to a solid defensive platform and an overall determined performance.
Merpro were minu
s several regulars and had Mark Findlay making his first ever starting appearance in goal. He was soon called into action making a good low save from Romilly after 7 minutes.
Merpro went close when a Milne free kick evaded everyone before going past the back post in 9 minutes.
Craig Allan then made a good run from midfield before being crowded out on the edge of the box.
Graham had a shot deflected wide and from the resultant corner kick Newport were able to clear after a goalmouth melee in 25 minutes.
Newport began to take control of the match keeping Merpro pressed back against the strong wind but solid defending ensured Findlay in goal was rarely called into action.
Graham had the best opening of the first half to open the scoring shrugging off a defender and running through but he shot early from 25 yards with his effort going past the post on the stroke of half time.
Merpro started the second half well with Graham collecting a throw in and turning inside but the keeper managed to save his effort.
Newport almost snatched the lead from an innocuous long range shot which came back of the post after Findlay had let it go anticipating it going wide.
Merpro began to dominate the match and took advantage after 60 minutes.
Brown's corner kick fell firstly for Smith but his goal bound shot was blocked only to fall for Steven Donaldson to slam home from 12 yards to open his account for the season.
Newport fought back when a looping shot came off the bar and good defending by Houston blocked the follow up effort.
From the resultant corner kick Findlay made a good punched clearance and then had to look lively to clear the follow up shot with his feet off the line.
Merpro steadied themselves and came close to going further ahead when a Christie 25 yard free kick was just tipped over by the keeper.
Whitworth then had a good opening but he was unable to direct his left foot shot on target in 72 minutes.
Newport began to apply some late pressure and Findlay had to make a good save from a 20 yard drive in 80 minutes.
Merpro had a golden chance to finish the match when Craig Allan made a break from midfield but attempted to round the keeper who managed to save at his feet.
Merpro managed to withstand some late pressure and some good defending from the excellent back line kept Newport at bay to gain the full points.
Merpro : Findlay, Milne, Houston, C. Allan, Smith, G. Allan, Brown, Whitworth, Graham (Wilson), Christie, Donaldson.
