On-song Newport County pile the misery on shot-shy Tranmere

The Exiles soaked up some early Rovers pressure before hitting them with a quickfire double, Aaron Wildig slotting in the 25th minute and then Charlie McNeill slamming in five minutes later.

County protected their lead without any scares and then sealed the spoils when pressing led to Wildig playing in Calum Kavanagh for a cool finish with nine to go.

Boss Graham Coughlan was frustrated that a clean sheet was lost in added time after Regan Hendry’s scrappy effort but it was still a superb performance on the road.

County climbed to 16th in the table and should be mathematically safe in the coming weeks given they have a 12-point lead over Hartlepool with nine to play.

Here are some talking points from Birkenhead…

WINNERS ENCLOSURE

Several members of the County squad enjoyed a midweek trip to the Cheltenham Festival – which they documented on social media – and this was a thoroughbred performance.

The Exiles have performed strongly on the road under Coughlan thanks to their solid foundations and this was a rounded performance.

They stood firm against early Tranmere set pieces, then struck twice and controlled the game before creating the better openings that led to Kavanagh’s clincher.

Yes, Rovers were poor and their confidence is low but County didn’t give them any freebies to get the fed-up crowd back involved.

The Exiles’ most eye-catching win of the campaign was at Leyton Orient, their most comprehensive was at Harrogate but this was arguably their most professional.

County are now eighth in the league for away form, while under Coughlan it is 18 points from a possible 33 (P12, W4, D6, L2).

County midfielder Aaron Wildig (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

SQUAD STANDS UP

County were convincing winners despite being without Declan Drysdale, Priestley Farquharson, Adam Lewis, Aaron Lewis and Offrande Zanzala.

Forward Will Evans had to go back to the left wing-back role that he started the season in at Sutton and did well – the 25-year-old has enjoyed a fine first campaign as a professional with more to come.

Farquharson has been immense since Coughlan took over but County didn’t miss a beat with the ever-reliable James Clarke at the heart of the defensive three.

Wildig hasn’t had the impact that he would have wanted and we expected after dropping down from League One but this was a marvellous display.

He was neat and tidy but also had an end product with a goal and an assist. The January arrival of attacking midfielder Harry Charsley might just play to Wildig’s strengths.

This was a big team effort but it is a relief that there isn’t a Tuesday, Saturday week coming up given that the inexperienced bench showed how the squad depth is being tested.

The six outfield players sat behind Coughlan headed into the game with a combined Football League tally of 101 appearances (James Waite 40, Nathan Moriah-Welsh 29, Calum Kavanagh 21, Sam Bowen 9, Kiban Rai 2, Evan Cadwallader 0).

SET-PIECE STRENGTH

County’s set-piece prowess is well documented and it’s now a league-leading 18 for the campaign, one ahead of Northampton.

However, a word of praise for the way that they laid the foundations for the success by standing firm in the opening exchanges when Tranmere had six corners and a free-kick inside 13 minutes.

County stuck with their men and got heads on the ball to deny the Rovers a settler.

They also used their heads at the other end to hit the front.

Mickey Demetriou’s long throws had not worked so they turned down another effort to go short in the 25th minute.

After some head tennis the attack continued for Wildig to play Charsley in and then pounce when his shot was blocked.

Charlie McNeill made it 2-0 (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

CHARLIE’S RELIEF

It’s not easy to break through at a club as big as Manchester United and Charlie McNeill will have to work his way up through the leagues.

Perhaps he will make it in the Premier League, maybe it will be a rung or two down, time will tell.

However, the UUU-year-old will prosper from this first taste of men’s football and the value of such a loan spell was evident in the first half.

McNeill had come close to scoring in his previous 10 outings and he looked to lack confidence when sent through down the left at 1-0, slicing his shot wide after failing to shake off the defence.

Had he been offered a repeat situation after breaking his duck then the striker would no doubt have been more cutthroat.

McNeill was noticeably more confident after his poacher’s finish with willing running and some classy touches.

With Kavanagh also making an impression, County can prosper from the two loanees switching roles of starter and impact sub in the run-in.