Newport County 0-1 Tranmere Rovers (AET): Jennings scores dramatic winner

They say winning at Wembley in a play-off final is the best way to get promoted. You get the trip to the national stadium and the big celebration afterwards before a night in the capital.

But few victories can be as sweet as the one witnessed here. And indeed, there can't be many defeats that feel as cruel and gutting as this one.

For those who had travelled from the Wirral, the sight of Connor Jennings’s header nestling in the back of the Newport net with just seconds of extra-time to play was euphoric.

Tranmere promoted for the second consecutive season. Not just that, but a second consecutive play-off final win and the first time any side had won the National League and League Two play-off final back-to-back. What a job Micky Mellon, who his critics have always said couldn’t manage any higher than non-League, has done.

But how tough this would have been to take for Newport. Led by Michael Flynn, they are a fine example of what can be achieved with so little. Flynn gathered his players in a circle at the end here and no doubt reminded them of what they have done over the last two years.

Five minutes they were from extinction only to stay up on the last day of the League Two season in 2016-17. Then the two brilliants runs in the FA Cup, where they took Tottenham to a replay last year before falling to Manchester City this year.

This was Newport’s 62nd game of the season. Had you not known that you’d perhaps have presumed this was the first given how sharp they were right from the beginning. They moved the ball forward fast and even when they were under pressure they regrouped quickly.

Mark O’Brien, Newport’s captain, is instrumental at centre back. He is trusted by Flynn to organise those around him, as well as himself. He was alert when Norwood cut the ball back towards Jennings. O’Brien got ahead of Jennings and won the ball.

In attack, Amond was working tirelessly as ever. It was from a free-kick where he nearly set up strike partner Jamille Matt but he couldn’t reach Amond’s flick-on at the back post.

Tranmere do have quite a cautious style. They are often satisfied to relinquish possession for large periods of time before plotting a way towards goal in a direct yet devastating style. In two flashes they can score and that’s nearly happened when Jake Caprice crossed from the right. Newport’s defenders didn’t track James Norwood’s run and the striker connected sweetly with the ball, sending it towards goal but goalkeeper Joe Day stopped it with firm hands.

Amond won promotion here three years ago with Grimsby in the National League play-off final. He didn’t scored that day against Forest Green and he looked destined not to three years on as another chance was missed. O’Brien directed a header towards Amond in the Tranmere box but Newport’s top scorer couldn’t adjust his body as the ball went behind him.

Newport defender Mickey Demetriou, who got better as the game went on, was a little fortunate not to have gone in referee Ross Joyce’s book when he clipped Caprice. Mike Dean, who made the trip to Wembley with the 11,000 other Tranmere fans, may well have seen it differently.

While this Newport side is renowned for its work rate and resilience, they are a technical side with creativity. In midfield they look to Josh Sheehan to provide that. He tends to sit behind Joss Labadie and use him as a foil as he drives forward with the ball. Just as he did at the start of the second half. He moved forward, Tranmere’s defence retreated and the midfielder slipped the ball to Robbie Willmott. Willmott cut inside but he took too long to decide what he wanted to do and when he did his shot was blocked.

A somewhat bizarre example of refereeing followed shortly afterwards. Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies had already released the ball from his grip when Matt attempted to win the ball off him. Matt got a touch and Joyce decided it warranted a yellow card.

Labadie and Matt were the next to get shots off but one went wide and the other was charged down.

It was all becoming quite stretched and erratic. Passes were being misplaced and mistimed tackles were being made. Butler, who had for so long been marauded down the left wing, suddenly had to switch to a defensive mindset. Twice he dispossessed Jennings, who appealed for a penalty for the first tackle, to keep Newport from going behind. He was now key for Newport in defence and attack. It was from higher up the pitch that he proved so effective once more. His played the ball over from the left, it missed Amond but was at the right height for Matt to attack it. He did but Davies, who has kept the most clean sheets in League Two this season, pushed the ball onto the post.

Then came a short period which really put Joyce’s refereeing under the spotlight. Matt went down under Manny Monthe’s challenge in the box. No doubt it was a challenge that normally would be called as a foul but Matt had already played the ball before he was fouled to O’Brien, who was in an offside position. Amond slumped to the ground when he appeared to be brought down by substitute Steve McNulty. Again, Joyce played on.

He did act decisively a minute before time when O’Brien grabbed the shirt of Norwood as he tried to break clear. After being booked earlier, the Newport captain couldn’t argue and was sent off. Amond took the captain’s armband.

So, to extra-time. A quite scrappy half an hour it was too. Newport substitute Keanu Marsh-Brown’s shot to the near post was saved by Davies before Norwood’s shot was deflected wide of Day’s goal. Long balls forward became the default setting for both keepers. No longer were either side interested in playing short passes to try and dislodge players in defensive positions. This had become a battle of concentration and composure.

And when it came to it, Jennings showed he had both in abundance. Caprice’s cross was delivered from the right and the striker adjusted to meet the ball, heading into Day’s far corner.

It had happened again, Tranmere victorious at Wembley for a second year in a row. Newport can, though, be proud in defeat.