Omari Patrick (left) celebrates his goal for Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers finished a lacklustre season on a high as Newport County caretaker boss Dafydd Williams saw his case for the permanent role take a knock with a heavy 4-1 home defeat.
The Exiles flirted with relegation this campaign, with Nelson Jardim having stepped down as manager once safety was assured, while Tranmere - under the interim stewardship of Andy Crosby - only made certain they would not suffer the drop from League Two with last week's victory over Crewe Alexandra.
With the relegation shackles off for both sides, Shane McLoughlin gave Newport the lead when he won possession in the visitors' box before unleashing a shot that arrowed into the top left-hand corner of the net.
But the visitors got back on level terms just before half-time, when Cameron Norman set up Jake Garrett for a goal that seemed to take a deflection on its way in.
Kristian Dennis gave Rovers the lead soon after the restart, converting Norman's cross, before Newport's misery was compounded when Kai Whitmore was sent off for a second yellow card.
Newport crumbled after that as Omari Patrick, jinking his way free into the box, and Josh Davison's header added two more goals, allowing Tranmere to leap-frog Newport to finish 20th in the table on 51 points, while their hosts end on 49 points in 22nd - just one place above the drop zone.
- Published3 May
- Published2 May
Newport County boss Dafydd Williams told BBC Sport Wales:
"I thought that second half summed us up this season - I thought it was immature, I thought it was naïve and it's just not good enough.
"The red card – you can't defend it. It's immature, a lack of experience and after that you're chasing your tail.
"Just not good enough."
