How Newport County rose from bankruptcy to the League Two play-offs at Wembley

Credit: PA

Newport County are off to Wembley after winning a dramatic penalty shoot out on Sunday.

They beat Mansfield Town 5-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Field Mill and a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

They will now face either Tranmere or Forest Green to see who gets promoted to League One on Saturday 25 May.

  • How did the players react on social media?

  • How have Newport fared at Wembley?

Newport went 100 years without an appearance at England's national stadium, but the play-off final will make it four trips in seven years.

The Exiles lost the FA Trophy final to York City in 2012 and last year’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against Tottenham Hotspur.

Newport took Tottenham to a replay at Wembley Stadium in last season's FA Cup. Credit: PA

But they won the most important one – the 2013 Conference play-off final against Wrexham.

Christian Jolley scores at Wembley against Wrexham. Credit: PA

  • From bankruptcy to being on the verge of the third tier

Newport went out of business on 27 February 1989 with debts of £330,000.

The club reformed as Newport AFC thanks to the help of 400 fans.

They were forced to play park football in England and by the time they were allowed to return to Wales, their home ground Somerton Park was demolished.

The club returned to the Conference - the division they were in when they went bust in 2010.

Three years later they returned to the Football League after a 2-0 victory over Welsh rivals Wrexham.

Current Newport manager Michael Flynn (R) was part of the winning team that got the side back to the Football League. Credit: PA

Four years later, The Exiles were 11 points adrift with 12 games remaining in League Two.

They needed to to win their final game of the season to Notts County to ensure survival. They were drawing 1-1 in injury time, before Mark O'Brien scored the winner to keep them up.

Since then, the club has enjoyed two FA Cup campaigns, beating Leeds United and playing at Wembley after a home draw with Tottenham Hotspur last season.

This term they stunned Leicester City and Middlesbrough, before playing Manchester City at Rodney Parade.