{"id":444676,"date":"2019-05-26T08:55:47","date_gmt":"2019-05-26T12:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=444676"},"modified":"2019-05-26T08:55:47","modified_gmt":"2019-05-26T12:55:47","slug":"connor-jennings-late-winner-sends-tranmere-rovers-into-league-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/05\/26\/connor-jennings-late-winner-sends-tranmere-rovers-into-league-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Connor Jennings Late Winner Sends Tranmere Rovers into League One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Connor Jennings<\/a>‘ header in the 118th-minute signaled a bittersweet return to League One for Tranmere Rovers, but heartache for Newport County.<\/p>\n

Late Winner Secures Back-to-Back-Promotions For Tranmere Rovers<\/h1>\n

Connor Jennings<\/a>\u00a0Scored Late On to Send The Rovers Up<\/h2>\n

Newport boss Michael Flynn was right to be scathing in his attitude towards the match officials. On such an important day for the Exiles, he witnessed two clear-cut penalties waved away and his captain sent-off.<\/p>\n

James Norwood<\/a> proved the brightest spark for Rovers, forcing Joe Day<\/a> into a save from close range, but nothing separated the two sides until Jennings’ late header.<\/p>\n

End to End Football<\/h2>\n

Newport started the first half brightest as Jamille Matt<\/a> and Padraig Amond<\/a> both had chances, but neither could take full advantage from good positions.<\/p>\n

Scott Bennet and Amond came close again as the Exiles continued to apply pressure for an opening goal, but the winger struck well over and County’s top-scorer was unable to keep his header on target.<\/p>\n

Tranmere’s best chance of the game fell to 32-goal striker Norwood on 25 minutes, but the talismanic frontman had his fierce volley saved by Day.<\/p>\n

Newport captain Mark O’Brien<\/a> should have done better when a wayward clearance fell at the defender’s feet; David Perkins<\/a> then drove a low shot into Day’s hands moments later as the two sides battled for an opener.<\/p>\n

Micky Mellon’s side looked as though they were more likely to score on the counter-attack and the Whites almost did exactly that. When Norwood’s shot deflected into the path of Jennings, the 27-year-old should have tested Day, but instead, he watched as the ball, and a golden chance to score, flashed past.<\/p>\n

Newport’s most dangerous chance came on 74 minutes. Manny Monthe<\/a> allowed a cross to bounce in the six-yard box which Matt Dolan headed towards the bottom corner; however, Davies produced a superb save to deny the substitute from close range.<\/p>\n

With extra-time looming, Mellon made his second change by introducing Steve McNulty<\/a>. The defender’s arrival allowed Liam Ridehalgh<\/a> and Caprice to move forward as wingbacks, with Jennings to support Norwood.<\/p>\n

Heartache for Exiles<\/h2>\n

Newport will feel hard done by as Tranmere avoided two controversial penalty claims. Manny Monthe<\/a> caught Matt on the six-yard box; then, Amond was dragged down by McNulty on the edge of the box.<\/p>\n

Moments later Exiles captain Mark O\u2019Brien was sent for an early bath after a second bookable offence.<\/p>\n

Pringle’s low drilled cross provided a rare attack for Tranmere in extra-time as Newport continued to press. Extra-time substitute Keanu Marsh-Brown<\/a> almost made an immediate impact moments after coming on, but Davies got down quickly to tip his shot behind.<\/p>\n

It was to be heartache for Newport though. In the dying moments, Jennings nodded home from close range to seal a second successive promotion for Tranmere.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>