By David Williams

James Rowberry praised his players’ gutsy response to a difficult build-up after they won 2-1 at Exeter City in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

The Newport manager was impressed with the professionalism of his squad, some of whom had personal belongings stolen on Monday evening after a break-in at the club’s training ground.

Kegs Chuake gave Exeter the lead early in the second half but strikes from Chanka Zimba and Omar Bogle completed a second half turnaround and earned Newport a perfect start in this season’s competition.

The League Two side believe the break in incident happened sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Newport say items taken included: “Computer equipment, TVs, medical equipment and playing shirts. In addition, personal items belonging to staff and players were also stolen.”

“I was really pleased with everybody, especially after the day we had with the break-in,” said Rowberry.

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“We came together, managed the situation and brushed it off with me and Carl [Serrant, assistant manager] dealing with the police in the morning.

“It wasn’t ideal but on the field I couldn’t have been more pleased and the lads showed great resilience by coming from a goal behind again.

“At the back we’ve got that solidity now which we have been searching for – they worked their socks as they do every game.”

“We are a strong squad and we need to utilise that,” said the manager, who fielded nine players who started in the Carabao Cup upset against Portsmouth.

“I was so pleased for Priestley Farquharson [after he completed a first 90 minutes since last September] and Matty Dolan was very good at centre-half next to him.

“The back four, considering they hadn’t played together before, looked very strong. When we saw the Exeter teamsheet we knew that they were also taking it seriously so I was really pleased with how the lads performed.”