NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh heaped praise on hat-trick hero Aaron O’Connor after a fantastic 3-1 win at play-off rivals Bury.

County are up to eighth in League Two, two points behind the Shakers, after surviving a second half fightback from the hosts to triumph at Gigg Lane.

O’Connor took advantage of some sloppy defending from Bury to score in the third and 43rd minutes and put the Exiles in charge.

Danny Rose gave Bury hope with a low drive into the bottom corner on 61 minutes and David Flitcroft’s side, who had won seven in a row at home before this, pushed hard for a second.

But goalkeeper Joe Day, playing his last match before returning to his parent club Peterborough United, was equal to everything and O’Connor broke clear to wrap up the points in stoppage time.

It was O’Connor’s first Football League hat-trick and Edinburgh was delighted for the striker who battled back from a career-threatening groin injury last season.

“Aaron will get the headlines and he deserves to,” said Edinburgh.

“It’s been a long road to recovery but I’ve worked with the boy and I know what he’s about.

“Earlier in the season people were questioning him but I have undoubted belief in him.

“It’s been a long road to recovery with a lot of setbacks but we’re certainly reaping the rewards of his form at the moment.”

Edinburgh is also confident that he can bring Day back to Rodney Parade in January.

“We’re very hopeful that we’re not too far away from securing the signature of Joe Day and that would be a big boost for us because he’s been outstanding,” said the Exiles boss.

“We’ve had one defeat in 15 league games with Joe in goal but it’s not about Joe or Azza, it’s about the team.

“I thought it was a real excellent away performance – everything we asked of the players – and the result went in tandem with that,” he added.

“From start to finish I thought we were excellent and well worthy of the win.

“The players are learning and getting better all the time and that’s all you can ask.

“We threw away a two-goal need not too long ago but we saw it out this time and that’s testament to the players.

“It was an excellent three points against a really good team away from home.

“We had a gameplan and we approached it really positively.

“It was a collective effort and a real good team performance.

“We had to weather the storm and put our bodies on the line and this group of players do that for one another.

“Any time the ball went into the box there was a Newport shirt there heading it away or blocking it and it was a real pleasing team performance.”

Curtis Obeng started the match after his loan from Swansea City was extended by today’s midday deadline.

“We’ve extended that for another month and we’re thankful for Swansea again for working with us,” Edinburgh confirmed. “They really have helped us.”