NEWPORT County AFC had some late hope but left Tranmere with nothing after a 2-1 defeat in League Two.

Rovers were under pressure after a slow start to the campaign and an FA Cup defeat to National League Oldham yet secured the spoils at Prenton Park.

Kyle Hudlin’s header with seven minutes to go gave County a shot at burgling a point but Tranmere held on to win thanks to goals by Connor Jennings just before half-time and Kieron Morris approaching the hour.

The Exiles’ poor afternoon was compounded by a second yellow card for defender Kyle Jameson, who saw red for the second time this season.

Here are some talking points from a deflating display in Birkenhead…

DENIED: Luke McGee saves from Kyle Hudlin (not pictured)DENIED: Luke McGee saves from Kyle Hudlin (not pictured) (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

LIMP ATTACK

County’s first shot on target was on 74 minutes when Kyle Hudlin forced Luke McGee into a regulation save, then the striker headed in with their second and last.

There was a lack of snap and inspiration, and not for the first time.

The Exiles are ranked 19th in League Two for expected goals, last for shots on target per match (2.7) and touches in the opposition's box (186 from 19 games).

They are 20th for average possession (45 per cent) and 18th for accurate passes per match (236.1).

In fact, it was a spell of passing that didn’t go anywhere that led to the opener; it was spread along the back line and then given to goalkeeper Nick Townsend, who chipped a poor pass to the right wing.

The aerial duel was lost, the ball was put forward and Ciaran Brennan failed to clear with Jennings scoring.

However, it’s just not clicking for County in attack and there isn’t yet any real sign of the expansive, possession-based, exciting approach that Huw Jenkins wants to introduce under Nelson Jardim.

There are problems in terms of the balance of the side with Kyle Hudlin looking isolated but then the strike partnership with Courtney Baker-Richardson not really convincing.

Winger Bobby Kamwa looks dangerous but the end product isn’t there at the moment while the midfield isn’t quite clicking at the moment. Is there a way of getting Kieron Evans in there to add some creativity?

However, perhaps an enforced change at the back could help to get them firing when going forward…

CLOSE: County defender Kyle Jameson had an opener ruled out for offside and was red-carded at the deathCLOSE: County defender Kyle Jameson had an opener ruled out for offside and was red-carded at the death (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

CHANGE TO DEFENCE

County will be forced into a defensive change after Kyle Jameson’s second suspension of the season and that’s probably no bad thing.

James Clarke will surely return at the heart of the defence against Grimsby on Saturday and Jardim might also rethink the shape.

The Exiles have returned to the flat four that he has favoured but that hasn’t really had the desired affect to their attacking production.

Maybe the return of Shane McLoughlin could prompt a switch to wing-backs with Clarke, Baker and Brennan in the middle and Anthony Glennon, who was absent on Saturday, in his more favoured role down the left.

If the wingers were thriving and it looked more like a 4-3-3 than a 4-5-1 then you could understand the flat four but at the moment things are disjointed and the front man is isolated.

PLOTTING: Nelson Jardim talks tactics with his County assistantsPLOTTING: Nelson Jardim talks tactics with his County assistants (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

HONEST TRUTH

I respectfully disagree with Jardim’s post-match comments that County were unlucky to be behind at the break and then deserved a share of the spoils.

Tranmere certainly weren't spectacular but the Exiles could have no complaints about the result after the lack of attacking verve documented above combined with the defensive slips.

It’s clearly not in the boss’ style to lob grenades post-match but there is no harm in calmly saying every now and then that his side need to be much better.

That doesn’t have to involve throwing individual players under the bus but fans appreciate honesty and don’t always want to hear about the positives from underwhelming performances.

Just like against Harrogate, this was a limp display that could have been followed by an admission of being poor, just like there is no problem with sometimes admitting a win has been lucky.

BAD DAY

County could only control what happened from 3pm in Birkenhead but it was a day that started badly in the lunchtime kick-offs.

Late winners for Morecambe at Harrogate and Carlisle at Salford ensured struggling sides enjoyed wins on the road (albeit Harrogate are also likely to be in the bottom half).

Eight points to the drop zone is still a fairly healthy gap and the Exiles’ points per game of 1.27 would get them to a total of 58, which would be more than enough for survival.

However, the worry is that they have looked like a relegation side too often with poor showings against Tranmere, Harrogate and Swindon, sides who are not going to be threatening at the top of the table.

Jardim’s side have had their good days – Doncaster, Crewe, Salford – and they could really do with one against Grimsby next weekend.