James Rowberry: Newport County weren't brave against Salford

The Exiles suffered a 3-2 defeat to Salford City at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night after conceding from a corner with seven minutes to go.

The Ammies were easing to victory thanks to earlier strikes by Luke Bolton and a Cam Norman own goal before the hosts levelled from nowhere.

First Scot Bennett struck from a corner and then Omar Bogle slid in a second to send Rodney Parade wild with quarter of an hour to go.

However, Salford got the win that they deserved when Ryan Leak got himself free to head in from a corner.

READ MORE: Match report

“That was not our best performance in the first half at all. We didn’t really show our bravery with the ball but we came in at half-time with a clean sheet,” said Rowberry.

HOPE: Scot Bennett slams in County's first goal

“We went 2-0 down but it was our fans that pushed us on to get to 2-2, so it was a sickener to concede off a set play for their winner. Credit to our fans, they were amazing and really pushed us.

“We have got to defend better in those moments, it was really poor for us and there were elements of that were unacceptable.

“What we have got to do now is work hard to win on Saturday. I believe in what we are trying to achieve and the lads believe in it.

“We’ve got to try and put things right, it’s another home game and we need to win.”

Tranmere head to Newport this weekend with County on a seven-game losing streak at Rodney Parade, two of those losses by the current squad.

“The message to the fans is ‘keep believing’. I believe in the lads and we just need that first win,” said Rowberry.

“I look at other teams that got success last year – Exeter and Bristol Rovers – and there is a long, long way to go.

“It’s not too bad having that bit of adversity now because that could stand us in good stead for later on. I’d just ask them to keep believing in what we are trying to achieve.

“It’s time for me to just digest this and I wish it was Saturday tomorrow.”

WINNER: Salford celebrate Ryan Leak's header

County were exposed twice down the left wing by Bolton for the first two goals and then the winner had echoes of Walsall’s winner in Newport with the Leak eluding Mickey Demetriou from a corner.

“We work on it, we show it, we examine it. All I think about is football and that is the frustrating thing,” said Rowberry.

“We are trying to do the right things and at some point it will fall into place, I have no doubt about that. I believe in what we are trying to achieve.

“We have an amazing fanbase that I can’t speak highly enough about in how they supported us. I can understand their frustration at certain points as well.”