NEWPORT County ended a run of four successive defeats in League Two by defeating York City 2-0, but will still miss out on the play-offs.

A first triumph at Bootham Crescent in 36-years, courtesy of two second half strikes from David Tutonda and Lee Minshull and a penalty save from Joe Day, wasn't enough for the Exiles as results elsewhere went against them.

Tramere Rovers couldn't prevent a Plymouth victory, losing 3-2 at Home Park to slip into the the Conference and ensure Plymouth will join Stevenage in the play-off positions.

Newport made one change from the team beaten by Dagenham & Redbridge, with Minshull replacing Andy Sandell and pulling on the captain’s armband and lining up in an unfamiliar role as a central defender.

Both sides started brightly, probing for openings, and Aaron O’Connor sprung the offside trap on ten minutes only to cross straight into the side netting.

At the other end Jake Hyde turned Kevin Felly on 12 minutes but his right-footed shot flashed wide across the face of the goal.

Newport quickly began to gain the upper hand, however, and Yan Klukowski saw a left-footed shot well blocked by John McCombe on 17 minutes after a loose ball fell kindly in the area.

Moments later Mark Byrne’s defence-splitting pass allowed Ryan Jackson to pick Miles Storey out in the area, but Storey blazed wildly over with the goal gaping.

York looked to work the ball in midfield in response and, after Shaun Miller and Michael Coulson exchanged passes on 29 minutes, the latter shot just wide across goal.

O’Connor then showed great strength to hold off Stephane Zubar and feed Jackson on 43 minutes but the wing-back, who initially did well to skip past a challenge, was booked for diving after losing possession.

Newport were finally in front just four minutes after the break when Klukowski got to the byline after a quick free-kick and pulled back for the unmarked Tutonda to smash in.

The Exiles received a huge let-off on 53 minutes though, Tottenham loanee Shaq Coulthirst beating keeper Day to a long-ball and crossing for Coulson who, stretching, shot over the open goal.

Day quickly became Newport’s hero, however, as York pressed hard for an equaliser – doing well to turn away Coulthirst’s cross, with McCombe lurking, after the winger easily beat Jackson on 59 minutes.

From the rebound, Jake Hyde teed John Lowe up with a hanging cross, but Day got his fingertips to the centre-back’s downward header to turn it wide.

When Klukowski pushed Lowe from the resultant corner to concede a penalty, earning a booking in the process, Day came to Newport’s rescue again – diving low to his left to turn Hyde’s effort wide.

Minshull then doubled Newport’s lead on 75 minutes though, rising highest to meet Mark Byrne’s free-kick and power in an unstoppable header.

It nearly got better too, with Zubar hooking clear on the line when Klukowski somehow got his head onto a high, hanging ball on 81 minutes.

Nevertheless, Jimmy Dack’s side ensured they go into their final game of the season against Oxford United with some much-needed optimism even if the play-offs will now be beyond them.