PORT Vale manager Darren Moore hailed the fighting spirit of his side after they fought back to win 3-2 against Newport County AFC.

The Exiles had hopes of a big win to boost their hopes of avoiding a League Two relegation scrap when they led 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals by Bobby Kamwa and Cameron Evans either side of Ben Garrity’s header.

However, Vale moved up to third in the table thanks to a strong second-half showing and goals by Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Headley.

The hosts have won back-to-back games after an eight-match winless streak while County are among the strugglers, with a slender six-point lead over one-from-bottom Morecambe.

“Credit to the players and everybody connected to the club because we had to go and earn that result,” said Moore.

“If you’d said to me we were going to score three goals then we would have wanted three points and we have got that.

“So I’m pleased it came at Vale Park that type of performance, that fighting performance, that fighting spirit in front of our Vale fans.

“The fans will have connected with the boys in terms of the performance and that never-say-die attitude.”

County’s first-half display led to boos from some Vale fans frustrated with their side’s effort but Moore insisted the visitors weren’t causing them problems.

“We got in at half-time and even though we didn’t play as well as what we could, we still had the better chances,” said the former defender.

“They’ve scored two goals from set plays and they had a lot of possession inside the pitch without really, really hurting us in our final third and in and around our box.”