NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn praised his players’ resilience as they fought back from 1-0 down to beat Bradford City 2-1 at Rodney Parade.

First-half strikes from centre-backs Ryan Inniss and Scot Bennett earned County three precious points after Clayton Donaldson had headed the visitors in front.

It was the perfect response to the disappointment of Wednesday’s Leasing.com Trophy semi-final shootout defeat at Salford City, when Inniss missed the crucial spot-kick.

“I’m absolutely delighted for those players because they worked their hearts out for this football club,” said Flynn afterwards.

“This result means more for those players than it does for me. They’ve had a bit of bad luck over the last few weeks.

“We should have beaten Walsall and Salford but it didn’t happen meaning our confidence was down. They thoroughly deserved this win.

“It’s nice to get the three points and I’m delighted for the players and the fans.”

South Wales Argus:

Flynn reserved particular praise for man of the match Inniss, who made several crucial blocks in the second half as well as heading in the equaliser.

“We showed good resilience to come back from 1-0 down,” said the Exiles boss.

“We conceded a sloppy goal and I said to Ryan Inniss before the game that I’ve been in football a long time and it’s funny how it works out because on Wednesday night he was devastated.

“I told him it’s funny how it works out because if you believe in yourself it can happen for you and he did.

“I’m delighted for him and I thought it was a very solid performance.”

County climb a place to 15th in the League Two table but they remain 12 points off the top seven, albeit with games in hand over all the teams above them.

The first of those comes on Tuesday night as Flynn’s men go to 16th-placed Grimsby Town, when a win would see them climb up to 10th.

Captain Joss Labadie missed today’s match with a foot problem but could be fit to play at Blundell Park.

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