Nathan Moriah-Welsh's first Newport County goal and Omar Bogle's penalty secured our first league win of 2022-23.
An Aaron Lewis own goal gave Tranmere the lead but County responded with Moriah-Welsh's first club goal on his first start for the Exiles before Bogle's strike from 12 yards to make it 2-1.
Even though neither side had a notable chance until just before the quarter-hour mark, Newport started brightly as we chased our first league win of the season.
It was the visitors who had that first shot though, as Elliot Nevitt headed Josh Dacres-Cogley's cross from the right narrowly over the bar from about 12 yards.
Nick Townsend was also needed to make an impressive save from Tranmere captain Kane Hemmings who looked odds-on to score when one-on-one but Townsend made himself big and kept out Hemmings' effort from just inside the box.
Tranmere did get the lead in the 23rd minute though, albeit in fortunate circumstances. A ball across the box from the left parried off Aaron Lewis' chest and dribbled in to put the away side ahead.
County responded quickly though and were level nine minutes later as Bournemouth loanee Nathan Moriah-Welsh capped his first start for the Exiles with his first goal.
A dangerous run from fellow recent arrival Thierry Nevers ended with the ball landing at the feet of Moriah-Welsh after Tranmere failed to clear their lines and the young midfielder stroked home the leveller from inside the area.
Aaron Lewis attempted to atone for his own goal, but curled wide of the right post after neat work from Moriah-Welsh in the set-up play.
Newport got themselves a penalty in the 37th minute though when marauding centre back James Clarke charged into the box and was brought down by a stray boot.
The referee seemed to take an age to point to the spot for what seemed like a stone-waller, but eventually the whistle did go and a spot-kick was awarded.
Bogle tucked home his third of the season and second in as many games low into the left corner, with Ross Doonan going the other way, for 2-1 Newport.
Both sides would have one more chances before the end of the first half.
County's came through a Mickey Demetriou long throw from the right which saw Bogle have a bicycle kick blocked and Nevers try an acrobatic effort too that went into the arms of Doonan.
Tranmere meanwhile went close through Hemmings, but he rifled into the side netting.
Ethan Bristow had the first shot of the second half, but his attempt from a long way out also went a long way wide of Townsend's left post.
County had a better chance for a third goal after Bogle found space behind the Tranmere defence.
He cut inside his man and was brought down - no foul given, and James Waite was there for the shot but the Cwmbran-born midfielder struck over the bar.
Bogle almost got his second inside the final 10 minutes, however he struck wide of the left post after being picked out by Demetriou's throw. Seconds later he would see a shot from the left of the box punched behind by Doonan for a corner that came to nothing.
The 2-1 scoreline was all County needed though to fully get off the mark for 2022-23.
Newport County: Nick Townsend, James Clarke, Declan Drysdale, Mickey Demetriou (C), Cameron Norman, Aaron Lewis, Scot Bennett, Nathan Moriah-Welsh (Adam Lewis '85), James Waite (Sam Bowen '68), Omar Bogle (Chanka Zimba '85), Thierry Nevers (Lewis Collins '57)
Subs not used: Joe Day, Matt Dolan, Will Evans
Tranmere Rovers: Ross Doonan, Josh Dacres-Cogley, Ethan Bristow, Curtis Merrie (Jon Nolan '45), Reece McAlear (Josh Hawkes '72), Kane Hemmings (C), Jordan Turnbull, Kyle Jameson, Neill Byrne, Elliot Nevitt, Paul Lewis (Lee O'Connor '45)
Subs not used: Matuesz Hewelt, Ben Hockenhull, Rhys Hughes, Max Fisher