Tranmere Rovers defeated Newport County 2-1 at Rodney Parade in our penultimate away game of the season.
Rovers won a couple of early corners to put the pressure on the hosts, but Newport grew into the game after the first ten minutes. Luke McGee was forced into a save from a Bryn Morris shot from distance as Rovers absorbed the pressure.
Rob Apter was typically bright early on, looking to force an opening, but the home side stood firm.
Harvey Saunders forced a save from Nick Townsend 20 minutes into the game, as the forward chased down every ball following his new two-year contract this week.
Newport went ahead just moments later though, Will Evans heading home from the centre of goal after a cross from the right.
It wasn’t long before Rovers got the equaliser, Rob Apter slicing through the middle before unleashing an effort into the far corner.
Ten minutes before the break, James Norris raced down the left and placed a cross onto the head of Saunders, but the effort was caught by Nick Townsend.
Just a minute later, Apter popped up in a similar position to his first goal after a through ball and rifled home to put Tranmere ahead.
Tranmere kept up the pressure and deservedly took their lead into half time.
Rovers continued to push their visitors back in the second period, restricting them to few attacks. When they did midway through the period, Lee O’Connor slid in excellently to block a shot at the last from substitute Kiban Rai.
Chances at both ends were few and far between in the second half, but McGee saved well with his legs with five left after a Matt Baker strike from the edge of the box.
Sam Taylor was lively off the bench and intercepted well on the edge of the box as we went into stoppage time, teeing up Dennis whose shot was deflected behind.
Ultimately, Rovers saw out the win to ensure a 100% record in Wales this season.
Newport County: Nick Townsend, Will Evans, Bryn Morris, Omar Bogle (C), Harrison Bright, Harry Charsley (Jac Norris, 77), Kyle Jameson, Matt Baker, Seb Palmer-Houlden (Offrande Zanzala, 65), Luke Jephcott (Kiban Rai, 65), Nelson Sanca.
Unused subs: Jonny Maxted, James Waite, Morgan Evans, Corey Evans.
Tranmere Rovers: Luke McGee, Lee O’Connor, Ben Hockenhull, Jean Belehouan, James Norris (Dan Pike, 74), Rob Apter (Josh Hawkes, 83) Chris Merrie, Regan Hendry, Harvey Saunders (Sam Taylor, 74), Connor Jennings (C), Luke Norris (Kristian Dennis, 83).
Unused subs: Joe Murphy, Reece McAlear, Ousmane Kane.
Attendance: 4,549 (275 away)
