Bobby Kamwa scored a hat-trick in the opening half hour of the game as Gillingham were brought back down to earth with an another League Two defeat.
It was the perfect response from County after back-to-back defeats, but it was another night to forget for John Coleman’s visitors.
Kamwa – who also claimed a treble against MK Dons in December – was the inspiration as he netted three times in the opening 30 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.
Gillingham went into the game with just the one change from the side that beat Morecambe at Priestfield on Saturday with Jimmy-Jay Morgan preferred up front in place of Oli Hawkins.
After an even opening five minutes or so, the home side took advantage of a free kick on the edge of the box after a foul by Andy Smith that had to be made.
Kamwa’s first goal was a superbly struck free-kick, blasted into the top corner of Glenn Morris’ net from just outside the area in the ninth minute.
After the visitors forced a series of corners, Kamwa doubled the Exiles’ lead in the 27th minute as he raced onto a ball over the top and expertly lifted his shot over the advancing Morris.
And three minutes later, Kamwa was celebrating a treble when he diverted in a shot from Cameron Antwi.
That was all about game over and Gillingham fans were already beginning to wonder why they’d made the long trip to South Wales on a Tuesday night.
Jimmy-Jay Morgan headed in from close range after 69 minutes for a mere consolation, but there was no way back for the Gills.
There were no changes from manager John Coleman to change the game and after he conceded he’d done that as he was worried fresh players may have got injured on a firm surface.
The defeat sees Gillingham once again looking over their shoulders, sitting 19th in the league and with Bradford City coming to Priestfield on Saturday, it could be yet another tough afternoon.
Ironically, former Gills midfielder George Lapslie scored a brace for Bradford on Tuesday night in their 3-0 win at home against Cheltenham Town.
Newport County: Townsend, Glennon, Baker, Clarke, Kamwa, Baker-Richardson, Antwi, Thomas, McLoughlin, Warner (Evans 76), Ajiboye (Evans 82).
Subs not used: Webb, Martin, Whitmore, Spellman, Bony.
Goals: Kamwa (9), (27), (30).
Booked: Warner (15), Antwi (89), Baker-Richardson (89), Clarke (91).
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Clark, Smith, Ehmer, Gale, Little, McKenzie, Morgan, Nevitt, Gbode.
Subs not used: Turner, Masterson, Nolan, Hawkins, Khumbeni, Clarke, Dack.
Goal: Morgan (69).
Booked: Smith (62), Ehmer (71), Gale (79), Gbode (79), Nevitt (91), Little (93).
Referee: Mr Aaron Bannister
Attendance: 3,589 (193 Gills)