How is momentum conserved is a Newton's cradle when one steel ball hits the other

Newton's Cradle experiment perfectly demonstrates the law of conservation of momentum which states that in a closed system, momentum before the collision is equal to momentum after the collision of the system.

As the first ball swings in the air, it gains momentum. When it strikes the second ball, it loses momentum and second ball gains equal amount of momentum. The second ball transfers the momentum to third, then fourth and till the last. The last ball when gains the same momentum swings up in the air. This continues. This experiment is done in drag free condition. This means there is no loss of momentum or opposing forces present.