Conceding three first- half goals from Dan Kemp, Jack Payne and Alex Gilbey left the Exiles 16th in the League Two table.
With only five points separating seventh-place Gillingham from Newport, their hopes of reaching their play-offs have been cast into severe doubt after a recent run of poor form for the South Wales club.
Losing two of their last five matches, Coughlan’s side now face a long midweek trip to Harrogate Town.
Coughlan said: “We didn’t compete. They were better with the ball.
“We were sloppy and just didn’t come out of the traps.
“It was chalk and cheese to the Walsall game two weeks ago (which Newport won 3-0) when we got off to a flier, and today, we were up against it.
“We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. Some of the performances just wasn’t good enough. It’s got to be better.
Esta historia es de la edición February 25, 2024 de The Football League Paper.
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Esta historia es de la edición February 25, 2024 de The Football League Paper.
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