Newport County returned to winning ways after late goals from Cameron Evans and Michael Spellman sealed a 3-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade.
An early goal from Sam Finley put County under immediate pressure, meaning they would need plenty of fight to get back into the game.
However, a strike from just outside the box by Spellman hit the inside of the post and rolled into the net, bringing the home side back into the contest.
It got worse for the visitors just before half-time when Finley was shown a straight red card following a dangerous sliding challenge on Sven Sprangler, leaving Tranmere with ten men.
But that was not all. In the 88th minute, Bobby Kamwa’s cross found Cameron Evans in the box, and he guided his header into the net to send Rodney Parade into raptures.
There was still time for more drama, as in the 96th minute Spellman capitalised on an open goal from 30 yards out, calmly rolling the ball into the net to secure the win and spark wild celebrations among the Amber Army.
Christian Fuchs made two changes to the side that drew with Fleetwood on Saturday, with Tom Davies and Bobby Kamwa coming in for Anthony Glennon and Nathaniel Opoku.
Andy Crosby also made alterations following his side’s weekend defeat, as Patrick Brough and Cameron Norman replaced Jason Lowe and Aaron McGowan.
It was Tranmere who struck first after just two minutes. An initial corner from Omari Patrick was cleared, but the ball fell to Finley, who volleyed into the bottom corner.
Chances were limited for a spell until Kamwa produced a strong run just before the 20-minute mark, weaving through the defence before seeing his curling effort blocked.
Ten minutes later, Brough delivered a cross into the box which found Joe Ironside, but his flick was cleared away from danger.
Moments later, James Plant forced Jordan Wright into a save with a low-driven effort towards the bottom right corner, but the goalkeeper gathered comfortably.
That missed opportunity proved costly as minutes later Spellman’s strike from outside the box struck the post and found the net to level the scores and give the Exiles renewed belief.
Just before the half-time whistle, Finley was dismissed for his challenge on Sprangler, reducing Tranmere to ten men for the second half.
After the restart, Harrison Biggins tried his luck from distance, encouraged by the home crowd, but his effort drifted wide.
County continued to press, with Biggins delivering a cross to Courtney Baker-Richardson, whose effort was saved by Marko Marosi.
The pressure mounted as Evans fired over the bar, while Spellman nearly grabbed his second but saw his shot go out for a corner.
Ten-man Tranmere struggled to cope as corners and crosses continued to come, with last-ditch blocks and saves keeping them in the game.
County’s best chance of the half came in the 81st minute when Davies’ cross found Ryan Delaney, whose superb effort was somehow kept out by Marosi.
Finally, Newport got the goal their pressure deserved. Kamwa’s cross picked out Evans, whose header found the net to give the Exiles a crucial late lead.
Spellman then added his second in stoppage time, chasing down a loose ball and calmly finishing into an empty net from distance to put the result beyond doubt.
The Exiles held firm until the final whistle, battling through late pressure to secure all three points.
The victory lifts Newport out of the relegation zone and up to 22nd place, moving above both Harrogate and Barrow.
Newport County: Wright, Evans, Baker, Delaney, Davies, Sprangler, Lloyd (Opoku 59’), Biggins (Garner 79’), Spellman, Baker-Richardson (Jarvis 88’), Kamwa.
Unused Substitutes: MacDonald, Smith, Jenkins, Crole.
Tranmere Rovers: Marosi, Norman, Brough, Smith, Finley, Patrick (Kenneh 45’), Warrington, Plant (Dickov 88’), Negru, Ironside, Obiero (Solomon 90’).
Unused Substitutes: Barrett, Lowe, McGowan.
Match attendance: 3,656.
Referee: Isaac Searle.
