CONNOR Jennings' 119th-minute winner sealed promotion for Tranmere Rovers and condemned Newport County AFC to defeat in the League Two play-off final. Here are the talking points...

Penalty decision proves pivotal 

The key decision of the match came in the 85th minute when Jamille Matt appeared to be brought down in the box by Manny Monthe but the officials ignored the protests and gave offside against Mark O’Brien.

"It was a 100 per cent penalty for the foul on Jamille Matt,” said Michael Flynn. "It was a stonewall penalty and I cannot believe it wasn't given. That would have been game over.”

The Exiles boss also questioned why VAR was not in use at the home of English football and suggested that technology would have meant it was his side celebrating promotion, rather than Tranmere.

Red card tipped balance in Rovers' favour

Four minutes after the potential penalty incident, County were reduced to 10 men when Mark O’Brien picked up a second yellow card for taking out James Norwood.

It left Flynn’s men with a mountain to climb and, although they kept two up front until the end, it was really a case of trying to hang on for penalties.

They so nearly managed to hold on for a shootout but, in the end, Tranmere’s numerical advantage proved decisive as they exploited the gaps on a big pitch after a gruelling 119 minutes of football.

South Wales Argus:

Farewell to County heroes? 

The pain of defeat could well be amplified for County fans when they consider that this squad could well be broken up over the next few weeks and months.

It’s definitely goodbye to David Pipe, who didn’t see any action in his final game before retirement, and the likes of Joe Day, Mickey Demetriou, Mark O’Brien, Dan Butler, Joss Labadie, Andrew Crofts, Matty Dolan, Josh Sheehan could also have played their last game for the club as all are out of contract this summer.

Loan players Regan Poole, Harry McKirdy and Tyreeq Bakinson will also be heading out of the door, although Poole and McKirdy are likely to be free agents so a return to Rodney Parade is not out of the question.

Tranmere show the way

Wembley is a place for winners and losing a play-off final in such heartbreaking circumstances will be difficult for the Exiles to take.

Tranmere were in the same boat when they lost the 2017 National League play-off final and they have bounced back in spectacular style under Micky Mellon, winning back-to-back promotions with successive end-of-season victories at Wembley.

County can take solace from Rovers’ example as they aim to regroup, rebuild and go again next season.

Read more: Newport County boss calls for VAR in play-off finals