Newport County remain in League Two after a 2-1 victory against relegated Barrow AFC
It was Barrow who found the opener within eight minutes after the ball fell to Charlie McCann’s feet who volleyed the ball into the back of the net.
However, at the start of the second half the Bluebirds were awarded a penalty but Josh Gordon’s attempt was saved by Jordan Wright.
But, in the 75th minute it was Newport who found the equaliser as James Crole dispossessed Killian Barrett and found Tom Davies in the box who hammered it home.
And with seven minutes of allocated time remaining, Bobby Kamwa’s right-footed shot found the top corner and sealed Newport’s survival in League Two.
The Exiles finish the season in 20th place with 43 points, finishing above Barrow, Harrogate Town, Crawley Town, and Tranmere Rovers.
Christian Fuchs made three changes to the side that defeated Oldham Athletic in the dying moments on Saturday.
Davies, Liam Shephard and Lee Jenkins were swapped out for Brennan, Joe Thomas and Cole Jarvis.
Harrison Pugh was also named on the bench for the first time in the league.
For Barrow, Sam Foley also swapped three places in his starting side that suffered a three-goal defeat against Cambridge United.
Barrett made his debut as he replaced Wyll Stanway as well as Ben Jackson and Danny Rose being placed in for Jack Thompson and Joe Anderson.
For the first five minutes of the game Barrow played with a very high tempo as they looked to pile pressure on the County defence but could not reach the goal.
Kamwa shortly followed with Newport’s first shot of the game, but his curling effort could not find the target, going wide of the post.
However, in the eighth minute McCann found the opener as a shot that was initially blocked found its way to the midfielder who volleyed it into the back of the net.
After the opener the Exiles came alive as multiple chances came their way as Cameron Evans had a header that went over the bar as well as Ben Lloyd’s delivery finding the keeper.
Just over halfway into the first half McCann almost added a second to the scoresheet as another volley from the midfielder was hit with power but was not accurate with the shot.
The Bluebirds continued to dominate as a handful of shots flew towards Jordan Wright in a matter of seconds alongside a goal line clearance from Matt Baker with the Newport defence preventing a second.
Once again Lloyd continued to create chances as he dribbled from the wing and in towards the box but just dragged his shot wide.
Although just minutes into the second half Barrow were rewarded a penalty after a Brennan handball but Wright came to the rescue after Gordon’s penalty saved as he placed it down the middle of the goal.
Davies got his first attempt in the game ten minutes after coming on as a dangerous shot from the left side of the box flew towards goal but couldn’t find the bottom corner.
Just moments later Kamwa danced around the left wing before cutting inside the box with his shot hitting the inside of the crossbar as the ball was inches away from crossing the line.
Barrow Captain MJ Williams tried getting himself a goal in the 65th minute as his shot, similar to Davies’, was fired low and wide.
But the biggest chance of the game was from James Crole as just minutes later from Williams attempt, the Welshman found himself free on goal, but a save from Barrett denied an equaliser.
However, this did not stop damage the Bluebirds confidence as multiple attempts faced County’s goal but it was ultimately Ben Jackson’s shot that ended their attack.
But after many attempts, Newport finally found their equaliser as a blunder from Barrett saw the ball in Newport’s hands, with Crole playing the ball to Davies who smashed the ball in the net.
Even with safety confirmed at that moment of time County still fought on as Matt Baker almost put Newport in the lead but a big save from Barrett kept the score level.
And Kamwa when Newport needed him most stepped up and his curling shot found the net as the Amber Army erupted in the stands.
Barrow could not do enough to find an equaliser with the additional seven minutes added on, with County remaining in League Two.
Newport County: Wright, Evans, Baker, Thomas, Lloyd (Spellman 87’), Kamwa (Smith 90 + 4’) Brennan, Biggins, Sprangler, Jarvis (Davies 46’), Crole. Substitutes not used: MacDonald, Shephard, Delaney, Pugh.
Barrow AFC: Barrett, MacDonald, Williams, Raglan (Malcolm 85’), Jackson (Anderson 77’), Smith, McCann, Hemmings (Newby 66’), Gordon (Fletcher 77’), Rose (Whitfield 85’), Harper.
Substitutes not used: Foley.
Attendance: 3588 (930 Away)
Match Officials: Jacob Miles (Referee), Matthew Jones and Danny Guest (Assistant Referees), Richard Aspinall (Fourth Official).
