More misery on the road as County barely fire a shot in 2-1 loss to Tranmere

NEWPORT County AFC endured another miserable away day in League Two after an insipid display in a 2-1 defeat at Tranmere.

The Exiles suffered their sixth loss on the road from eight league fixtures and could have no complaints after a blunt attacking performance at Prenton Park.

County trailed 1-0 at the break after a soft goal in the 41st minute for Connor Jennings, scorer of Tranmere’s 2019 play-off final winner against the Exiles and so often their tormentor.

Rovers doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Kieron Morris scored on the rebound after an excellent stop by Nick Townsend.

Out of nowhere, County had a lifeline with seven minutes to go when a free-kick was headed in by striker Kyle Hudlin.

However, the only late drama was a second yellow card for Kyle Jameson on his old stomping ground that means the central defender will serve another suspension.

Tranmere boss Nigel Adkins was under some pressure after a slow start to the season and an FA Cup defeat to National League Oldham.

However, it will be County’s Nelson Jardim who is now feeling the heat because the away form is adding to the importance of Rodney Parade fixtures, with Grimsby heading to Newport next weekend.

While it’s too early to say such games are must-win, there can be no repeat of this uninspiring attacking display.

DENIED: Kyle Jameson headed in for County but was offside (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

County handed a first start to winger Michael Spellman in place of the absent Anthony Glennon and the left-footer lined up down the right with Bobby Kamwa down the left after illness meant he could only be a substitute against Peterborough in the FA Cup.

Bryn Morris and Aaron Wildig returned in the middle of the park after sitting out the loss to the Posh and Kieron Evans, Kai Whitmore and Courtney Baker-Richardson dropped down to the bench.

The Exiles had the ball in the net in the fourth minute after a free-kick was worked to Bryn Morris to swing in but Jameson was denied a headed goal on his return to one of his old clubs by an offside flag.

Bryn Morris remained to the fore and in the ninth minute there was a forceful 50/50 between the midfielder and former Exiles defender Cameron Norman, who came off worse and was shown yellow despite his bang to the head.

It wasn’t exactly thrilling stuff and the goalkeepers were untested, Bryn Morris having the only incident of note when firing a shot from distance comfortably wide in the 21st minute.

It was Tranmere’s turn to fail to hit the target with a pair of efforts approaching the half hour with Jennings heading a free-kick very high and wide and then Kieron Morris slicing a shot from outside the area over the top.

There was finally a save in the 32nd minute when Regan Hendry tried his luck from distance with his left foot but it was easy enough for Towsend, who opted to play it safe by palming away.

That meant the pressure stayed on and the Exiles were a little fortunate when a corner was glanced over by Jennings as Townsend attempted to punch clear.

Rovers were having a good spell without looking particularly fluent, but they had the lead in the 41st minute after a goal that was of the Exiles’ making.

They passed the ball around the back but without great purpose and then a chipped Townsend to the clearance led to an aerial challenge and the ball falling for Tranmere.

Connor Wood put a ball over the top that eluded centre-back Ciaran Brennan and Jennings prodded past the County ‘keeper.

OPENER: Tranmere celebrate hitting the front (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

Kamwa worked a yard in the box in added time but his shot was wide, meaning the visitors ended the half down 1-0 after failing to have an effort on target.

County’s starters got the chance to up their game in the second half and Spellman fired wide after cutting in from the right after 51 minutes.

However, they had a mountain to climb in the 58th minute with another sloppy goal.

There wasn’t enough pressure on the cross by Wood from the left and Luke Norris stole a march on Kyle Jameson in the box, getting a shot that was clawed out by Townsend.

The striker wanted a penalty after being dragged back by Jameson but referee Martin Coy didn’t need to make a call – Morris slotted the rebound.

Jardim made a change in a bid to get back into it by bringing on striker Baker-Richardson for winger Spellman but the attacking struggles continued.

In fact, it should have been game over on 72 minutes but Norris failed to finish when a corner was nodded back into the six-yard box.

County finally tested Luke McGee with 74 on the clock when Kyle Hudlin curled in a shot that the goalkeeper paired away, then Omari Patrick’s shot clipped the top of County’s bar with 12 to go.

The Exiles had barely threatened but suddenly were in with a chance of leaving with something when a free-kick was swung in by Bryn Morris and Hudlin, who had escaped defender Tom Davies, scored his fourth of the season.

Suddenly Rovers were a little jittery but they nearly settled the nerves in the 89th minute when Norris’ free-kick was deflected against the post.

Jardim rolled the dice for the closing stages by bringing on Shane McLoughlin and Kieron Evans for Matt Baker and Jamie Miley.

However, they finished with 10 men after Jameson picked up a second yellow card to sent off for the second time this season.

County pumped the ball into the box at the death but Tranmere held firm to secure the spoils; the Exiles got what they deserved from the trip to Birkenhead.

Tranmere scorers: Jennings, Morris.

County: Townsend, Baker (McLoughlin 88), Brennan, Jameson, C Evans, Morris, Miley (K evans 88), Kamwa, Wildig (captain, Whitmore 78), Spellman (Baker-Richardson 64), Hudlin.

Substitutes not used: Carney, Clarke, Greaves.

Goals: Hudlin.

Yellow: Jameson, C Evans.

Red: Jameson.

Referee: Martin Coy.