Newport County were defeated 4-1 by Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade on the final day of the season.
County Captain, Shane Mcloughlin opened the scoring but Jake Garrett’s deflected strike drew the visitors level before the end of the half.
A flurry of second half goals from the visitors and a red card for Kai Whitmore compiled defeat for the Exiles.
Interim head coach, Dafydd Williams, made two changes to the side that faced Fleetwood Town last time out. As Kai Whitmore and Kyle Hudlin returned to the starting eleven.
Tom Davies made his return from injury as he made an appearance from the bench alongside academy youngster, Moses Alexander-Walker, who was handed his debut in the second half.
An early cross into the box was delivered by Bobby Kamwa who managed to win County a corner, after his delivery from the byline was cleared. The subsequent corner was worked out towards Anthony Glennon who got the first shot on target of the game with a ranged effort forcing M’Gee into a save.
County dominated early possession and had a chance in the 8th minute as Kamwa laid the ball back to Oliver Greaves in the box whose poked effort was blocked well.
In the 23rd minute, Newport County took the lead through the captain, McLoughlin. After some tidy footwork to beat his man, Kamwa delivered a great ball into Joe Thomas whose shot was blocked. The block fell to the feet of McLoughlin who slotted cooly into the left corner from close range.
As they looked to capitalise on scoring the opener, Thomas delivered a lovely ball into Hudlin who knocked the ball back into the path of Glennon who caught the ball on the half volley but unfortunately his effort didn’t trouble M’Gee.
Moments later, Tranmere had their turn to attack as right back, Cameron Norman, marauded down the wing and forced Nick Townsend into a save. The ball fell to Omari Patrick from the save but the striker blazed his effort over the bar.
The visitors equalised in the 41st minute as Garrett’s deflected strike wrong footed Townsend and ended up in the right hand side of the goal.
Just before the break, Hudlin won a free kick in the middle of the Rovers half and the subsequent set piece was delivered into the box by Glennon who found Matt Baker. The centre-half cushioned a header back across the box to Kyle Jameson who was unable to get a real connection on the ball.
Half Time:
Not long after the half time break, Tranmere took the lead. In the 48th minute, Kristian Dennis volleyed in from close range.
County looked to hit back as McLoughlin found the head of Hudlin whose headed effort was cleared well by Tranmere.
Second half substitute for the visitors, Josh Davison delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal that was cleared well by Kyle Jameson.
In the 63rd minute, Alexander-Walker came onto make his debut for the first team. Shortly after coming on, he did excellently to win the ball back on the wing before delivering a ball into Hudlin but the striker was unable to make the most of it.
Whitmore saw red in the 66th minute after receiving his second yellow of the game for a foul on Garrett.
Omari Patrick made it three as the attacker picked the ball up on the edge of the box before he dispatched into the bottom left corner.
In the 78th minute, Tranmere scored their fourth as Davison headed in within the six-yard box.
The game drew to a close and so did the season with neither side creating a chance of any significance.
Newport County: Townsend, Thomas, Baker, Jameson (C.Evans 88’), Glennon (Davies 88’), McLoughlin (C), Whitmore, Antwi (Moses Alexander-Walker 63’), Greaves (Patten 71’), Hudlin (Spellman 88’), Kamwa.
Substitutes: Webb, K.Evans.
Tranmere Rovers: M’Gee, Norman (Hawkes 77’), Davies (C), Turnbull, Morris, Dennis (Saunders 63’), Garrett (Jennings 77’), Merrie, Taylor (Davison 46’), O’Connor, Patrick (Wood 73’).
Substitutes: Bradshaw, Murphy.
Attendance: 5465 (811 away)
Thank you for your amazing support Exiles. See you next season.