THREE into two won’t go, but Newport County AFC have found another way up front.

The Exiles have enjoyed back-to-back League Two wins when underdogs, bringing pace-setting Stockport’s joint-record winning streak to an end at 12 then becoming the first team to leave Morecambe with three points.

They have done so by fielding all three frontline forwards – last season’s top scorer Omar Bogle, current leading marksman Will Evans and fit-again Bristol City prospect Seb Palmer-Houlden.

Manager Graham Coughlan first tried the trio when chasing the game at Mansfield when Palmer-Houlden was on the comeback trail from a hamstring injury and could only be a second-half substitute.

The teenager got 71 minutes against Stockport and 70 against Morecambe, when he nodded in what turned out to be the winner in a 2-1 success after Evans had equalised.

For now at least, the Exiles have bravely gone with a trio rather than holding one forward back to add oomph from the bench (a role that energetic academy graduate Kiban Rai has fulfilled excellently in the last two games).

The attributes and adaptability of the three forwards reduces the risk for Coughlan, who tried a trio without the required result at Stockport last season.

In April it was Bogle with young loanees Calum Kavanagh and Charlie McNeill; there was no shortage of willingness but it looked like a hotchpotch.

It can be the same when forwards are flung on to chase a game but the Bogle, Evans and Palmer-Houlden combo seems to be working and can be adapted and reshaped throughout a game to keep defences on their toes.

Evans has largely worked on the right flank where he has flourished this season when scoring 13 goals and Palmer-Houlden has been on the left.

Bogle dropped deeper against Stockport and started there against Morecambe before getting more advanced and being a more traditional front man.

Coughlan had been slightly concerned about Palmer-Houlden’s fitness ahead of the long trip to Lancashire given his recent return from a 19-centimetre hamstring tear but reaped the rewards of sticking with the same XI.

South Wales Argus: Newport County manager Graham Coughlan in MorecambeNewport County manager Graham Coughlan in Morecambe (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“We went with three strikers up front away at Morecambe on a Tuesday night,” said the manager.

“I don’t think there are many teams that will do that, but we are going for the jugular and going after teams and I suppose fortune favours the brave.

“We went with the three up front tonight fortunately the two came up trumps with the goals while Omar was immense, taking a lot of hits for the lads and they worked off him.

“Will, Seb, Omar – they are a scary three to be playing against.”

The work rate of the trio keeps defences honest while opponents are also challenged by their ability to switch roles.

It’s a multi-dimensional threat with Bogle a nightmare if he can roll a defender for space, Palmer-Houlden constantly hounding defenders with the ability to bounce them off like an NFL running back and Evans a pacey menace with a big engine and improving deftness.

Crucially, they provided a goal threat in Morecambe and Coughlan will be keen to tap into the trio’s competitive streak.

Evans currently leads the way with 13 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions (one in 1.9), Bogle is on 6 from 21 (one in 3.5) and Palmer-Houlden is on 3 from 11 (one in 3.7).

There is more to their game but goals will help ensure Coughlan sticks with a trio rather than return to a partnership when midfielders Aaron Wildig and Harry Charsley are back in the mix for starting spots.