MANAGER Graham Coughlan believes his “feeble, weak” Newport County AFC side are not a reflection of their season after suffering a sixth straight loss in League Two.

The Exiles were beaten 2-1 at Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade after Rob Apter’s first-half double for the visitors.

That came after top scorer Will Evans, playing at left wing-back because of injuries, scored his 25th goal of the season to put County in front.

Coughlan’s side were on the fringes of the play-offs last month but have imploded because a second injury crisis of a draining campaign.

“We are a team that is on our knees, we’ve run out of energy and ideas and we haven’t got the leaders that we need on the pitch to help the young ones through,” said the manager.

“Everything that can go wrong is going wrong. That’s not a true reflection on us, but I would expect better from certain individuals.

South Wales Argus: Will Evans scored County's goal from left-backWill Evans scored County's goal from left-back (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“It’s tough to take and tough to watch to be honest – what other manager in the Football League would have to put their top goal scorer in at left-back?

“We are just limping to the end of the season and it’s in the face of adversity that you learn about characters and resilience, those that really want it and dig deep.

“Granted, we don’t have the energy, legs, snap and zest to our play that we used to have. We had it for about half an hour but in the second half of games we just can’t get going.

“It’s sad watching us but that is not a true reflection of our group, those who have followed us all season will understand that. We are feeble, weak and not ourselves.”

Tranmere manager Nigel Adkins was delighted with the spirit his side showed, as they secured the club’s first win at Rodney Parade on their sixth visit to climb up to 17th.

“I’m really pleased,” he said. “We responded really well to going behind early on.

“We knew we could give them problems on the counter-attack and Robbie Apter scored two great goals.

“I left him on to give him a chance to get his hat-trick; he didn’t get it, but he is a joy to watch. We could have scored a few more, but we managed the game really well.”

And Adkins said a first win in five games is proof that his players are not on the beach yet.

“There were no deckchairs out – not in this wind and rain,” he joked.

“We were at it; we’ve got to be competitive, and we were. The lads gave it everything and we deserved the win.”

County, who were without Scot Bennett for the first time in League Two this season after he limped off in training, have two games to play.

They host Salford next weekend before a final day trip to Bradford.