Connor Jennings scored in the final 90 seconds of extra time to earn Tranmere a 1-0 victory in the League Two play-off final against Newport and seal back-to-back promotions.
The Wembley showpiece was heading to penalties after a scrappy game of few chances, but Jennings headed home to break the deadlock and send Rovers back to the third tier for the first time since 2014.
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Connor Jennings was Tranmere’s hero at Wembley
It completes an impressive comeback for Micky Mellon’s side, who won promotion from the National League at this stadium last year.
There was heartbreak for Newport, who played extra time with 10 men after skipper Mark O’Brien was sent off, as they should have been handed an 85th-minute penalty and their wait to play in League One for the first time goes on.
Given that these two sides kept 38 clean sheets in League Two over the course of the season, there was little surprise that goalmouth action was at a premium.
There was a 25-minute wait for what turned out to be the only real moment of danger in the first half.
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The match was a hard-fought battle
Tranmere found some space on the right and Jake Caprice picked out James Norwood perfectly, but the striker’s sweet connection from a first-time shot drew an instinctive save out of Joe Day, who palmed the ball away.
It was clear that Norwood was going to be Tranmere’s main threat and he was furious with his team-mate David Perkins for not playing him through on goal before half-time.
The move still ended up with a chance for Norwood, from another Caprice cross, but he headed over and quickly remonstrated with Perkins.
Rovers, who finished two points above their opponents after 46 games of the regular season, dominated the second half but failed to get near to testing Day again, with a poor piece of control from Jennings ruining their best moment.
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Mark O’Brien was sent off
Rovers goalkeeper Scott Davies had been a bystander for much of the game, but saved his side in the 73rd minute.
Dan Butler’s cross from the left was allowed to make its way to the back post where Jamille Matt appeared destined to score, but Davies stuck out a left hand and turned and the header onto the post.
Referee Ross Joyce did his best to make an enemy of Newport as he chose not to award what looked a blatant penalty in the 85th minute when Emmanuel Monthe clattered into Matt.
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Jennings’ goal was celebrated wildly
He then reduced the Exiles to 10 men in the 89th minute when handing skipper O’Brien a second yellow card after he hauled Norwood down on the halfway line.
The additional period followed much of the same pattern and a penalty shoot-out seemed a certainty.
But in the 119th minute, there was ecstasy for the Tranmere fans as Jennings was left unmarked in the six-yard box and he converted Caprice’s cross to become the hero.
Tranmere Rovers beat Newport County 1-0 after extra-time in Saturday's League Two play-off final to reach League One. Connor Jennings headed home the winner to send Tranmere's fans
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Newport 0-1 Tranmere (AET): Connor Jennings heads in late
Newport 0-1 Tranmere (AET): Connor Jennings heads in late
The 27-year-old headed in Jake Caprices cross to break Newport hearts. Connor Jennings was Tranmere's hero at Wembley The Welsh club had to play extra-time without… Newport 0-1 Tranmere (AET): Connor Jennings heads in late winner to send Rovers to League One Real News Reports-Start Your Day Here
Connor Jennings heads in late winner to send Rovers to League One
Newport 0-1 Tranmere (AET): Last-gasp Connor Jennings strike earns promotion for Rovers Tranmere move up to Sky Bet League One with back-to-back promotions through the play-offs to head the
Newport 0-1 Tranmere (AET): Connor Jennings heads in late
Newport 0-1 Tranmere (AET): Connor Jennings heads in late winner to send Rovers to League One Connor Jennings scored in the final 90 seconds of extra time to earn Tranmere a 1-0 victory in the League Two play-off final against Newport and seal
Newport 0-1 Tranmere (AET): Connor Jennings heads in late
Connor Jennings scored in the final 90 seconds of extra time to earn Tranmere a 1-0 victory in the League Two play-off final against Newport and seal back-to-back promotions. The Wembley showpiece was heading to penalties after a scrappy game of few chances, but Jennings headed home to break the deadlock and send Rovers back to the third tier
Tranmere Rovers promoted to League One after 119th minute
Hero There was nothing to separate the two sides in normal time as ten-man Newport conceded in the 119th minute Connor Jennings scored in the final 90 seconds of extra time to earn Tranmere a 1-0 victory in the League Two play-off final against Newport and seal back-to-back promotions.
Newport 0 - 1 Tranmere - Match Report & Highlights
Connor Jennings scored in the final 90 seconds of extra time to earn Tranmere a 1-0 victory in the League Two play-off final against Newport and seal back-to-back promotions. The Wembley showpiece was heading to penalties after a scrappy game of few chances, but Jennings headed home to break the deadlock and send Rovers back…
Newport 0-1 Tranmere (AET): Connor Jennings heads in late
Connor Jennings scored in the final 90 seconds of extra time to earn Tranmere a 1-0 victory in the League Two play-off final against Newport and seal back-to-back promotions. The Wembley showpiece was heading to penalties after a scrappy game of few chances, but Jennings headed home to break the deadlock and send Rovers back to the third tier
Newport 0-1 Tranmere: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Rovers
Tranmere Rovers promoted to League One after 119th minute goal sinks Newport County. Connor Jennings headed home a cross deep into stoppage time to secure back-to-back promotions for Tranmere
Newport County 0-1 Tranmere: Five things learned as Rovers
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