Apter at the double as Tranmere win 2-1 at Newport County

The Exiles were beaten 2-1 at Rodney Parade and now host Salford and head to Bradford with the aim of avoiding matching the eight-game miserable streak under Graham Westley in the 2016/17 Great Escape campaign.

This was a much better display – there can be no questioning their effort – but it wasn’t enough for injury-hit County to end another L being added on the form guide.

Graham Coughlan’s side hit the front when top scorer Will Evans headed in from a Harrison Bright cross in the 20th minute – his 25th of the season and ending his longest drought of the season after nine games without a goal.

However, the lead was short-lived with League Two young player of the season contender Rob Apter cutting in from the right and driving in a shot from the edge of the area in the 25th minute.

The winger, on loan from League One Blackpool, then put the Merseysiders in front with a precise finish on the counter in the 36th minute.

CELEBRATION: Will Evans put County in front (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

That proved to be the winner in a contest between two sides already confirmed in the fourth tier for 2024/25 while games elsewhere affected promotions, play-offs and relegations.

Teenage defender Nelson Sanca made his County debut at the heart of the central trio after previously being an unused substitute 16 times while three fellow first-year scholars were on the bench.

Jac Norris was fresh from cameos against Grimsby and Accrington, Corey Evans had previously been an unused sub three times while Morgan Evans came in for the first time.

Coughlan made three other changes to his XI with goalkeeper Nick Townsend and Will Evans recalled after being short of full fitness in midweek while Luke Jephcott got another crack up front.

The Exiles were without stalwart Scot Bennett – who missed out in League Two for the first time this season – and the absence of the suspended Adam Lewis and injured Matt Bondswell meant a return to left wing-back for top scorer Evans.

County made a decent start, moving the ball better and pressing harder, with Bryn Morris having a long-distance strike palmed away in the ninth minute and then firing another over the top.

Everybody was chipping in and the Exiles were good value with their lead in the 20th minute, and it was a well-crafted goal.

The ball was worked to the right and Harrison Bright put in a peach of a cross for Evans to head in his 25th goal of a remarkable campaign.

He nearly made it 26 after a scramble from a free-kick – although the flag was up for offside – and then Tranmere responded against the run of play.

Dangerman Apter scored a trademark goal when he had too much space to turn and drive towards the box before firing a low left-footed shot past Townsend.

The County ‘keeper then made routine stops from Harvey Saunders either side of a Harry Charsley blaster that was blocked by the head of Jephcott.

Omar Bogle in action for County (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

However, Rovers then got their noses in front after catching the hosts on the counter from their own free-kick for Apter to race away and fire past the covering Sanca and Townsend.

County should have had a swift leveller but Jephcott blazed over with his left after Seb Palmer-Houlden had rolled a cross in from the right flank.

Tranmere started the second half on the front foot without stressing Townsend and it remained a one-score game past the hour.

Coughlan made his first changes after 64 minutes by bringing on forwards Offrande Zanzala and Kiban Rai for Jephcott and Palmer-Houlden.

County had a glorious chance to level in the 70th minute when Bogle showed fast feet to get in down the right and unselfishly laid the ball off to Rai.

The youngster hit the target but was denied by a block from defender Lee O’Connor with goalkeeper Luke McGee scrambling.

Norris got appearance number three with 13 minutes to go in place of Charsley and County pushed forward to hunt an equaliser.

They had plenty of attackers on but it was a defender who went close with six minutes to go when Matt Baker found himself in the box and was denied by the right boot of McGee.

Tranmere almost wrapped up the win in the 90th minute after a calamitous piece of play as Kyle Jameson attempted to pass out from the back but his teammates scrambled to deny Kristian Dennis.

However, two goals proved to be enough for Tranmere to do the double over the Exiles.

County: Townsend, Bright, Baker, Jameson, Sanca, Evans, Morris, Charsley (Norris 77), Bogle (captain), Palmer-Houlden (Zanzala 64), Jephcott (Rai 64).

Substitutes not used: Maxted, M Evans, C Evans, Waite.

Yellow: Evans, Sanca.

Goal: Evans.

Tranmere scorers: Apter (2).

Referee: Craig Hicks.

Attendance: 4,549 (274 Tranmere).