NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Coughlan believed a change of shape helped turn boos to cheers in a 4-2 win against Forest Green Rovers.

The Exiles looked set to suffer a costly loss at Rodney Parade when they trailed 2-0 to the League Two strugglers but turned things around to take the spoils.

A second-minute own goal from County captain Ryan Delaney – diverting in Kyle McAllister’s free-kick – and a Matty Stevens strike put Rovers in charge at the break.

But Callum Jones’ second yellow, for chopping down Lewis Payne, allowed the hosts back into the contest and they took full advantage with three goals in nine minutes.

Will Evans scored a quickfire double to level before Payne volleyed in a superb third to complete the turnaround after 69 minutes.

Delaney then scored at the right end five minutes from time to make sure of a victory that means County are 17th, 12 points clear of one-from-bottom Sutton and a further point ahead of Forest Green.

South Wales Argus: Newport County boss Graham CoughlanNewport County boss Graham Coughlan (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“We were in the ascendency before the red card so I’m not 100 per cent sure that was the gamechanger,” said Coughlan.

“I think the turnaround was when we changed shape and got to grips with them. They were brave, they played three front men and they bullied us for the first half an hour.

“It caught us by surprise how direct they were. We didn’t deal with it. But we changed shape, and the game was probably won and lost in that moment.

“The crowd let us hear what they thought at half-time, which I thought was fair. But they got behind us in the second half and pushed us on.

“We’ll take the positives, we’ll take the three points and the character and resilience we showed what excellent.”

New Forest Green boss Troy Deeney lamented the loss of Jones after dropping below Sutton, who won against AFC Wimbledon.

“We’ve got to be a bit more street-smart,” said Deeney. “Callum’s one he gets sent off for is our first one for a tackle – the rest are for kicking the ball away and being mouthy.

“I don’t want this to sound like a negative. I’d defy anyone to tell me a game where we’ve played better for 55 minutes.

“Then we let ourselves down and we’re the ones who made the problems, so we need to fix it.

“When we get 2-0 up we panic. Callum was running with him and we’re shouting to him ‘don’t slide in’ but he did, and you know he’s off.

“We were flustered after that. At 2-2 you think ‘right, let’s take a point’ and the guy shanks it into the top corner.

“It showed me a lot about the character of the players – the ones you can rely on and the ones that go hiding.”

County host Crewe on Friday before a New Year’s Day trip to Sutton.