This evening saw the first team to advance through to the League Two Playoff Final confirmed as Newport County came out victorious against Mansfield Town.
The first leg at Rodney Parade on Thursday ended 1-1 between the two sides so it was all to play for.
It was rather miraculous that there was no goal scored within the 90 minutes after there had been 35 attempts at goal.
The early stages saw the ball hoofed up and down the field, very even start.
Josh Sheehan should have put the Exiles one up halfway through the first half after receiving a brilliant cross right on to his foot but he puts it just wide.
CHANCE FOR NEWPORT!
It's a wonderful cross right on to the foot of Josh Sheehan but he puts it wide by a whisker.
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— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2019
The game turned into quite an edgy one as again Newport could have scored again but some how couldn’t score in a goalmouth scramble on the 38th minute.
GOALMOUTH SCRAMBLE
The ball is bouncing all over the place in the Mansfield box but nobody can tuck it away. Another chance goes begging for Newport.
Watch live now on Sky Sports Football or follow online here: https://t.co/9jYYf0dQiJ pic.twitter.com/7i3n2u2flH
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2019
Again, the away side came close as Joss Labadie hit the bar with his first-time effort prior to half time.
The start of the second half saw Newport continue to threat an reinvigorated Mansfield.
Again, on the 59th minute, the Exiles hit the crossbar this time from a free kick by Scot Bennett.
A minute later Mansfield keeper Conrad Logan pulled off one of the saves of the season to deny Sheehan’s volley from just outside the box.
Joss Labadie brought down Tyler Walker on the edge of the box and the referee gave a free-kick though many say it should have been a penalty.
Mansfield had a fair few chances and nearly won it with minutes remaining as Tyler Walker chested down and shot the ball a yard wide.
The drama kept on coming despite no goals as Newport keeper Joe Day made two cracking saves, denying Tyler Walker’s effort then a follow up from Danny Rose on the 105th minute.
Considering the match time, the tempo of the game failed to calm down. Mansfield’s Alex MacDonald had a shot blocked off the line by Regan Poole on the edge of half time of extra time.
Both continued to give all they got but still not goals could be found, so it had to go to penalties to sort this tie out.
This is how they played out…
1-0 County!
Butler scores! ✅
— NCAFCLive (@NCAFCLive) May 12, 2019
1-1
Ajose Scores ✅
— NCAFCLive (@NCAFCLive) May 12, 2019
2-1 COUNTY! Podge scores
Hamilton to take for Mansfield.
— NCAFCLive (@NCAFCLive) May 12, 2019
2-2 – CJ Hamilton scores.
Mickey Demetriou to take next for County…
— NCAFCLive (@NCAFCLive) May 12, 2019
MICKEY SCORES! 3-2
Walker to take for Mansfield…
— NCAFCLive (@NCAFCLive) May 12, 2019
JOE DAY SAVES IT ! COUNTY LEAD IN THE SHOOT OUT 3-2
REGAN POOLE TO TAKE…
— NCAFCLive (@NCAFCLive) May 12, 2019
REGAN SCORES! BOTTOM RIGHT! 4-2
Benning to take for #MTFC, he has to score…
— NCAFCLive (@NCAFCLive) May 12, 2019
Benning Scores, it's 4-3
Matty to win it for County…
— NCAFCLive (@NCAFCLive) May 12, 2019
COUNTY WIN IT ON PENALTIES! MATTY DOLAN SCORES! COUNTY ARE GOING TO WEMBLEY!
— NCAFCLive (@NCAFCLive) May 12, 2019
Watch the winning moment in the video below…
NEWPORT ARE OFF TO WEMBLEY
Dolan tucks it away in front of the Newport fans and they're into the play-off final. It's heartbreak for Mansfield.
Watch the reaction live now on Sky Sports Football or follow online here: https://t.co/9jYYf0dQiJ pic.twitter.com/3kXNuVGNiC
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2019
Newport will play the winners of the second playoff semi final which is between Tranmere Rovers or Forest Green Rovers (he Super White Army currently 1-0 on aggregate) at Wembley on the 25th of May.
Football fans have since given their reaction to Newport sealing a place in the League Two playoff final after beating Mansfield this evening – find out what they had to say on the next page.

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