TRANMERE manager Nigel Adkins was delighted with the spirit his side showed, as they secured the club’s first win at Rodney Parade on their sixth visit to climb up to 17th in League Two after a 2-1 victory over Newport County. 

Rob Apter scored twice to earn Tranmere the comeback win that extends the Welsh side’s losing run to six games.

Will Evans headed in his 25th goal of the season to put the hosts ahead after 20 minutes at Rodney Parade.

But Blackpool loanee Apter then took centre stage for Tranmere.

The 20-year-old was given far too much time and space to control Lee O’Connor’s pass from the right flank and advance towards goal before firing into the bottom corner to level in the 25th minute.

Apter then raced onto a high ball over the top before placing his shot between the legs of teenage debutant Nelson Sanca and past goalkeeper Nick Townsend nine minutes before the break.

Luke Jephcott wasted a chance to level before the break when he fired over at the far post.

Newport substitute Kiban Rai and defender Kyle Jameson also went close to an equaliser after the interval, but Tranmere held on to secure a first win in five games.

“I’m really pleased,” he said. “We responded really well to going behind early on.

“We knew we could give them problems on the counter-attack and Robbie Apter scored two great goals.

“I left him on to give him a chance to get his hat-trick; he didn’t get it, but he is a joy to watch.

“We could have scored a few more, but we managed the game really well.”

And Adkins said a first win in five games is proof that his players are not on the beach yet.

“There were no deckchairs out – not in this wind and rain,” he joked.

“We were at it; we’ve got to be competitive, and we were. The lads gave it everything and we deserved the win.”