Ten man Tranmere fall short to dogged Newport County

Newport County hold on to go second in League Two after a tough battle against ten man Tranmere Rovers.

Saikou Janneh scored the only goal of the clash, with Tranmere’s Paul Lewis receiving a red card in the early stages of the second half.

Tranmere made three changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Salford City last time out – with Lee O’Connor, Liam Ridehalgh and Ollie Banks coming in as Tranmere lined up with more of a 4-5-1 formation rather than their usual 4-3-1-2.

The hosts made two changes, with Padraig Amond and Scot Bennett dropping out for Saikou Janneh and Micky Demetriou after the Exiles’ defeat at Cambridge United.

The first 20 minutes offered little, with a blocked Janneh attempt the only real sight at goal for either side. Scott Twine nearly found the top corner from a free-kick, which was expertly tipped over by Joe Murphy.

Janneh, the Bristol City loanee, was straight back amongst it though. After Tristan Abrahams knock-down fell to him in the six-yard box, he smashed home past Murphy to give Newport the lead.

Newport continued to threaten in the second half – and Tranmere would shatter in the pressure. They were down to ten after a horror tackle by Paul Lewis on Joss Labadie and with Mike Jackson’s men only scoring five thus far in League Two, the mountain to climb was distinct.

They came back and were in fact better with ten – Liam Feeney came close but his free-kick was fired over.

From another Feeney set-piece Newport countered, with Janneh again finding himself in the right position – this time Murphy was equal and parried away.

County held on for a win that took them back up to second, with Tranmere falling to 15th.

Newport County: Townsend; Haynes, Cooper, Dolan, Demetriou, Shepherd; Labadie, Sheehan, Twine; Janneh, Abrahams

Subs: King, Baker, Willmott, Amond, Webb, Bennett, Ellison

Tranmere Rovers: Murphy, O’Connor, Clarke, Monthe, Ridehalgh; Spearing, Lewis, Banks; Morris, Khan, Woolery

Subs: Jones, Walker-Rice, Nelson, Ellis, Young, Burton, Feeney

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