Newport draw secures last play-off spot, MK Dons beat Mansfield for promotion and Notts County are relegated to National League
Sunday 5 May 2019 17:07, UK
Newport have secured the final Sky Bet League Two play-off spot after drawing 1-1 at Morecambe on Saturday.
Victory would have secured Newport the position in the table, but they fell behind early on as Aaron Collins put the Shrimps in front at the Globe Arena.
Jamille Matt then equalised in the 87th minute, and that was enough for them to make the play-offs as Exeter drew 0-0 at Forest Green and failed to capitalise.
Colchester were the team pushed out of the play-offs by Newport. The U's had put themselves firmly in the frame with a 3-0 win at champions Lincoln. Brennan Dickenson's goal and a brace from Sammie Szmodics gave Colchester victory, but it proved in vain.
Notts County have been relegated from the Football League for the first time in the club's history.
The Magpies' relegation was confirmed by their 3-1 defeat at Swindon. Neal Ardley's team had to win at the County Ground to stand any chance of avoiding the drop as they went into the final day of the season in 23rd place in League
Two, two points behind Macclesfield and with an inferior goal difference.
It looked a possibility when Kane Hemmings put Notts County in front from the penalty spot early in the second half but Swindon replied with goals from Kaiyne Woolery and a Theo Robinson double.
Notts County's misery meant elation for Macclesfield as they survived courtesy of a 1-1 home draw with Cambridge, who led through Paul Lewis' 44th-minute strike. Elliott Durrell equalised for the Silkmen in the second half.
At the other end of the table, MK Dons were victorious in the winner-takes-all shootout against automatic promotion rivals Mansfield.
The Stags went into the game at Stadium MK behind Paul Tisdale's side on goal difference and had to win to climb above their opponents and into third place but David Wheeler's second-minute header saw the hosts win 1-0. Therefore, Mansfield go into the play-offs.
Tranmere will be in the play-offs but they lost 3-1 at Crawley, who led at half-time through goals from Ashley Nathaniel-George and Filipe Morais. James Norwood's penalty reduced the Rovers deficit but Panutche Camara completed the scoring late on.
Joe Martin and Jordan Gibson scored in Stevenage's 2-0 home win against Cheltenham while Grimsby were also 2-0 winners against Crewe, with Harry Davis and Joe Grayson on the scoresheet.
Northampton rounded off their season in style with a 5-2 success at Oldham. Promoted Bury drew 1-1 at home against Port Vale as Jordan Rossiter cancelled out Tom Pope's opening goal while it finished goalless between relegated Yeovil against Carlisle.
