NEWPORT County AFC are still hunting a League Two win after a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Salford City at Rodney Parade.

The Ammies left Newport with three deserved points after striking late for the spoils.

They hit the front in the second half through Luke Bolton and a Cam Norman own goal until County stunned them with a pair of quick goals by Scot Bennett and Omar Bogle.

However, the Exiles undid all their hard work when they conceded from a corner for Ryan Leak to be the winner with seven minutes left.

Here are the talking points from Rodney Parade…

South Wales Argus: Aaron Lewis climbs high for County against SalfordAaron Lewis climbs high for County against Salford (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

BRAVERY ON THE BALL

Manager James Rowberry lamented County’s lack of bravery on the ball, and that was a clear failing until their backs were against the wall at 2-0.

This was comfortably the worst that the Exiles have played in possession since the Rodney Parade pitch problems, with their inaccuracy highlighted by Salford’s excellence.

County had just 31 per cent possession, made 240 passes to Salford's 534, 394 touches compared to 704 and had a pass success of 62 per cent to 84 (stats from whoscored.com).

It goes to show that bravery isn’t just a player sticking their head in when a boot is coming.

The Exiles have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and that is something that last season’s loan trio of Finn Azaz, Ollie Cooper and Jake Cain were, demanding the ball to feet in tight spaces.

For all his limitations, that is something captain Matty Dolan does. The defender/midfielder never hides, even when there is some grumbling from his critics in the stands.

Sam Bowen came from Cardiff and is clearly a talented player but has had a slow start to life in Newport, although it was 0-0 when he was taken off.

County need more from him and Aaron Wilding, who is currently nursing an injury, and it will be interesting to see if Bournemouth prospect Nathan Moriah-Welsh gets a first start against Tranmere on Saturday after coming off the bench.

South Wales Argus: JOY: Omar Bogle levelled for County against SalfordJOY: Omar Bogle levelled for County against Salford

NO HOME COMFORT

The current squad have lost their first two home games of the season but the County fans have watched seven losses on the spin.

Barry Fry famously urinated on all four corners of Birmingham City’s pitch to try and get rid of a curse.

Perhaps Rowberry and Dragons boss Dean Ryan, whose side haven’t won in Newport since April 2021, could take opposite ends of Rodney Parade.

The late winner was made all the more galling by the streak on home soil – it would have been nice to at least turn a losing run into a winless run.

Tranmere on Saturday just feels massive because the way that County’s supporters spearheaded the fightback against Salford shows they are still right behind their side.

Getting three points will just calm things down. Another failure and shoulders will slump.

SELECTION HEADACHES

A week is a long time in sport, last Tuesday County won at Luton after eight changes to give Rowberry a lot of welcome calls to make.

This Tuesday poor performances and injuries to midfielder Robbie Willmott and Aaron Wilding plus rapid striker Offrande Zanzala will be ruining the manager’s Wednesday ‘off’.

What shape does he start in against Tranmere after County ditched their 3-5-2 to get back into it against Salford (but then looked open after the Ammies went back in front)?

One imagines central defender Declan Drysdale comes straight back in after suspension and lots of others will be keen to get their starts.

Will Evans could slot in down the left after Adam Lewis’ tough night, with the Liverpool loanee defending a la Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Matty Dolan into midfield alongside the legs of Moriah-Welsh? A first league start for Chanka Zimba up front, even if it is unfair to judge Bogle and Lewis Collins after they lived off scraps?

Or does Rowberry offer a chance at redemption? The manager and his staff have plenty to ponder after an awful display.

STILL EARLY

There were raised voices from the County changing room after the final whistle, as is normal in any sporting environment.

The Exiles haven’t got going in a hugely frustrating start to the campaign but it is just that, a start.

Performances, habits and problems can’t be swept under the carpet but we shouldn’t be impetuous, even given the finish to last season.

League tables should not be printed in August, and I would be saying that even if County had notched a maximum 12 points.

We had all hoped for more but it should also be noted that the Exiles’ four fixtures so far yielded just four points last season (loss at Sutton, win against Walsall, draw at Bradford, loss to Salford).

Put the pitchforks down until at least the autumn.