The pressure on Newport County manager James Rowberry increased after his side were beaten 1-0 by rock-bottom Rochdale on another frustrating afternoon at Rodney Parade.
A fifth-minute header from James Ball was enough to seal all three points for the visitors, who climbed off the bottom thanks to their second win of the season.
For County it was an eighth defeat in 13 games in League Two and Rowberry’s men were once again booed off at half-time and full-time, despite a spirited second-half showing.
Rowberry made one change from the midweek defeat at Swindon Town with goalkeeper Nick Townsend missing for personal reasons and replaced by Joe Day.
And the former Cardiff City stopper didn’t enjoy a comfortable start as he was at fault for the visitors’ goal in the fifth minute.
Day came for and failed to claim a floated ball into the box from Liam Kelly, allowing Ball to flick a header in from close range.
It was a nightmare start for the Exiles and the basement boys could have been out of sight before half-time as they missed two golden chances to extend their lead.
Defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell somehow missed the target from inside the six-yard box after Day pushed out a header from Toumani Diagouraga midway through the first period.
And Day redeemed himself in first-half stoppage time when he was out quickly to deny Scott Quigley after a rapid counter-attack.
The half-time whistle was greeted by boos from the home fans who had very little to cheer about in the first 45.
Nathan Moriah-Welsh had fired wide from the edge of the area soon after Rochdale’s goal and Omar Bogle curled just wide moments before Ebanks-Landell’s miss at the other end.
Former Bluebirds striker Bogle looked the most likely to get the hosts back into the game and he headed wide from Robbie Willmott’s free-kick before wasting County’s best chance of the half when he was put through one-on-one but couldn’t beat Rochdale goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell.
Rowberry made a positive double substitution at the start of the second half with Lewis Collins and Thierry Nevers replacing Adam Lewis and Nathan Moriah-Welsh.
And, with the backing of the crowd, County looked much more of a threat with Collins winning successive corners and Nevers worrying the Dale defence with his direct running.
Mickey Demetriou headed into the side netting, while Will Evans and Aaron Wildig both saw shots blocked and Cameron Norman blasted a half volley just off target before Bogle’s looping header was tipped over.
But, for all their second-half pressure, they failed to seriously test O’Donnell.
The manager introduced Chanka Zimba and James Waite as last a last throw of the dice but his side simply couldn’t find a way through a stubborn Rochdale defence.
After a loud chorus of boos on the final whistle, a small section of the home fans chanted ‘we want Rowberry out’ and he looked a lonely figure as he headed to the dressing room after another disappointing day at the office.
