Match ends, Newport County 2, Rochdale 1.
NewportNewport County2RochdaleRochdale1
Rochdale had to be content with third place in League Two after Kevin Feely's late looping header gave 10-man Newport County a shock win.
Chesterfield's 2-1 win over Fleetwood saw them take the title.
George Donnelly put Rochdale ahead before Aaron O'Connor marked his return from injury with a scrambled equaliser.
Matthew Lund had an 83rd-minute penalty saved by Ian McLoughlin after Ryan Jackson had been sent off for bringing down Ian Henderson.
Newport's 14th-place finish marked a season of consolidation after their promotion from the Conference Premier at the end of last season.
Newport County manager Justin Edinburgh told BBC Radio Wales:
"It's fantastic. We've had a brilliant season and accomplished what we set out to do and to round it off with a victory against a promoted side was a fantastic end to the season.
"And it's a credit to the players because I think they have been absolutely outstanding all year."
Rochdale manager Keith Hill told BBC Radio Manchester:
" You have to lose games to learn about yourselves.
"We shouldn't really in this financial world be competing against Scunthorpe and Chesterfield for the title so it's been a great race."
Line-ups
Newport
Formation 4-4-2
- 33McLoughlin
- 20Feely
- 3Hughes
- 12Willmott
- 18JacksonBooked at 84mins
- 16Blake
- 7Chapman
- 4Porter
- 11ZebroskiSubstituted forJeffersat 81'minutes
- 10O'ConnorSubstituted forJolleyat 66'minutes
- 17FlynnBooked at 72minsSubstituted forMinshullat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Minshull
- 14Jeffers
- 19Naylor
- 23Jolley
- 24Amadi-Holloway
- 27Parker
- 45Howe
Rochdale
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Lillis
- 25RoseSubstituted forDoneat 73'minutes
- 3Bennett
- 12LundBooked at 65mins
- 22O'Connell
- 6Lancashire
- 7Vincenti
- 14HerySubstituted forLynchat 56'minutes
- 40HendersonBooked at 90mins
- 9DonnellySubstituted forBunneyat 72'minutes
- 24Allen
Substitutes
- 2Rafferty
- 4Cavanagh
- 5Eastham
- 16Done
- 19Lynch
- 21Thomson
- 39Bunney
- Referee:
- James Adcock
- Attendance:
- 4,662
Match Stats
Home TeamNewportAway TeamRochdale
- Possession
- Home45%
- Away55%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away4
- Corners
- Home1
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Newport County 2, Rochdale 1.
Post update
Foul by Christian Jolley (Newport County).
Post update
Jack O'Connell (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Joe Bunney (Rochdale) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Booking
Ian Henderson (Rochdale) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Darcy Blake (Newport County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ian Henderson (Rochdale).
Goal!
Goal! Newport County 2, Rochdale 1. Kevin Feely (Newport County) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Robbie Willmott following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Craig Lynch (Rochdale).
Post update
Adam Chapman (Newport County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Joe Bunney (Rochdale) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Post update
Corner, Rochdale. Conceded by Ian McLoughlin.
Post update
Penalty saved! Matthew Lund (Rochdale) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
Dismissal
Ryan Jackson (Newport County) is shown the red card for a bad foul.
Post update
Penalty Rochdale. Ian Henderson draws a foul in the penalty area.
Post update
Penalty conceded by Ryan Jackson (Newport County) after a foul in the penalty area.
Booking
Lee Minshull (Newport County) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Jamie Allen (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Lee Minshull (Newport County).
