ROBBIE Willmott returned from injury to help Newport County AFC halt their slide down the League Two table and described Mark Byrne’s late leveller against Tranmere Rovers as ‘a new beginning’ for the club.

Byrne’s super strike seven minutes from time rescued a point for County at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night and ended a run of four successive defeats.

It was a first point for caretaker boss Jimmy Dack and coach Wayne Hatswell following Justin Edinburgh’s departure last week and Willmott, who had been sidelined since October, feels the team has turned a corner.

“It’s a massive result because the last four games have been horrible for us,” said the 24-year-old.

“I thought we deserved a point against Shrewsbury but we’ve managed to stop the rot now and we’ve got a platform we can build on.

“The gaffer has gone but there is life without Justin,” he added.

“It’s a new beginning for us and we believe in Jimmy and Wayne.

“There’s no reason why we can’t start fresh and build on a good second half performance.

“We said at half time that we need big characters now and I thought we showed that.

“We were scrapping for every ball and Max Porter and Mark Byrne were brilliant in midfield – they really pushed us on.

“We hit the bar and it looked like one of those nights where they were going to nick a 1-0 win but Byrner popped up with a great goal.”

Willmott, who suffered a serious foot injury in October, started wide left in a 4-4-2 formation and then moved further forward as the team switched to 4-3-3.

He could return to left wing-back at Wycombe on Saturday, however, as captain Andy Sandell picked up his tenth yellow card of the season and will be suspended.

“It’s brilliant to be back because it’s been four months and that’s the longest period I’ve ever had out of football,” said Willmott.

“I spoke to Dacky and he asked if I was alright to start. I was jumping at the opportunity to get back in.

“I picked up a knock last week so I couldn’t make the Wimbledon game but I was delighted to get back out there.

“I thought I might pull up with cramp but I’ve done a lot of work in the gym and I feel good.”