NEWPORT County AFC’s travelling contingent at Morecambe next Tuesday have been spared some jeering after pantomime villain Derek Adams left for his homeland.

The 48-year-old spearheaded an impressive start to the League Two campaign for the Shrimps after their relegation from the third tier.

However, ninth-placed Morecambe are now on the hunt for a new boss after Adams left for a third spell in charge of Scottish Premiership strugglers Ross County.

The Scot, who was in charge of the Highlands side between 2007 and 2010 and 2011 and 2014, replaces Malky Mackay, who was sacked last week after a nine-game winless run.

Morecambe wanted to keep hold of Adams but said a “contractual release clause was met to enable the move to progress”.

CEO Ben Sadler said: “Derek has done an excellent job in challenging circumstances during his second spell with Morecambe, securing the club’s status in League One upon his return midway through the 2021-2022 season, and building an excellent squad almost from scratch in the current season that is currently sitting just outside the League Two playoff positions, with games in hand.”

Adams was previously in charge of the Shrimps between November 2019 and June 2021, with the last game of that spell the controversial play-off final win against County.

South Wales Argus: Derek Adams after Morecambe's win against CountyDerek Adams after Morecambe's win against County

The Exiles felt that he was graceless after that Wembley triumph, when Michael Flynn’s side were denied a first-half penalty by referee Bobby Madley and then lost 1-0 after Carlos Mendes Gomes’ spot-kick following a contentious foul that looked to be outside the box.

"Three times this season they've had three of our players sent-off," claimed Adams afterwards, despite the fact only two Morecambe players were shown red cards in games against Newport, both of which were won by the Exiles.

"Sometimes in life you get your comeuppance, and today was that, I'm afraid."

The comments by Adams, who had to take Kevin Ellison's wild celebration on the chin in the regular season, led to County goalkeeping coach Jim Hollman saying he had been fired up for another season.

“I’d like to thank Derek Adams!” he posted on social media. “Just when I think I hate football and I’ve had enough something happens to relight the fire and draws me back!”

Adams went on to become manager of Bradford City and he received a lively reception in a 0-0 draw in Newport.

“I didn’t actually hear anything this afternoon,” said Adams after the game, somehow keeping a straight face.

“People were saying beforehand [that there would be some abuse] but I didn’t hear anything today.”