The Parliamentarian force resisted, at first being relieved by sea, and then launching attacks on the encircling Royalist strongholds, their forces led by Rowland Laugharne. Lacking a mobile reserve force, Carbery could do little to stop them, and soon had lost Tenby, followed by the entirety of Pembrokeshire by March 1644. Carbery was recalled to answer for the disaster, which worsened after his departure as Parliamentarian forces secured Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire.
The Parliamentarian army resisted, initially receiving assistance from naval vessels, and then launched counterattacks on the encircling Royalist strongholds, led by Rowland Laugharne. Without a mobile backup force, Carbery was powerless to stop them, and soon lost Tenby, followed by the entire Pembrokeshire region by March 1644. Carbery's return was prompted by the need to address his failure, which deteriorated after his departure as Parliamentarian forces captured Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire.