Newport County 1-0 Cheltenham Town: Exiles beat leaders to close on play-off spot

Midfielder Joss Labadie's goal against Cheltenham was his fifth of the season for Newport

Newport County need a point in their final game to seal a play-off place after edging leaders Cheltenham Town.

Skipper Joss Labadie gave Newport the perfect start with a fine strike from outside the area that beat Robins keeper Josh Griffiths at his near post.

Cheltenham switched to a back four for the second half, but were unable to find the win to secure the title alongside their automatic promotion.

Exeter's last-minute winner at Bolton meant Newport still have work to do.

Although at least a draw next Saturday at already relegated Southend United will definitely see the Exiles into the play-offs, they will still keep their promotion hopes alive as long as they match the result of any one of Tranmere, Forest Green or Exeter.,

Cheltenham can seal the League Two title with a win at home to Harrogate Town next weekend, as they hold a two-point lead over second-placed Cambridge, and are three points clear with a vastly superior goal difference of Bolton in third.

Newport captain Joss Labadie said:

"All we can do is keep doing what we're doing and put some points on the board and then it doesn't matter what anyone else does.

"Three points and... it's still in our hands and we're still confident.

"It's business as usual [against Southend next Saturday], we'll go into that game like we would any other looking to get three points, they're down already but they're not going to roll over to let us turn up and do what we want."