Boss delighted with Newport fightback
Newport will feel that luck was not on their side after throwing away a two-goal lead against Pompey.
But Paul Cook believes his team thoroughly deserved their Boxing Day triumph at Rodney Parade.
The feeling was not particularly festive among the travelling support following strikes from Josh Sheehan and Rhys Healey either side of the break.
However, Danny Rose and Enda Stevens – either side of Kal Naismith’s penalty miss – found the target to draw the visitors level.
Naismith then fired home a late free-kick to complete a remarkable turnaround and Cook was delighted with the display.
The Blues boss said: “We always knew how difficult the pitch was going to make things, but our players kept going.
“I was always confident that we would get a goal, so it was disappointing that we found ourselves 2-0 down.
“But our players deserve all the plaudits for what they did and let’s be honest, Newport didn’t have a lot of chances.
“To be on the losing side would have been very unjust and we’re tired of having that tag around our necks.
“It’s something we spoke about at half-time – we’ve got to try to shake that shackle off us now.
“But this time we gave our supporters exactly what they wanted and I’m sure they had a fantastic trip home. They kept supporting us and imploring us to get forward.
“Our away form is good at the moment – it’s just the 17,000 at home we’ve got to make happy now!
“We’re in a good place at the moment and actually on a positive little run. It’s a happy dressing room and I’m delighted for them.
“Now I can’t wait for us to go away to Yeovil on Friday and see another massive Pompey support as we try to drag ourselves into that top three.”
Watch Cook's thoughts on the game below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for full post-match content.