NEWPORT County AFC and the Checkatrade Trophy will undergo a ‘conscious uncoupling’ tonight and it’s a parting of the ways that won’t be mourned by anyone connected with the club.

Most unhappy marriages are prolonged for the sake of the kids but the rules of the much-maligned competition are actually preventing youngsters at lower league clubs getting a chance to show what they can do.

The ill-advised revamp last summer was designed to give Premier League and Championship academy players the opportunity to get competitive action.

But League One and League Two teams are still only allowed to make a certain number of changes to their starting line-up for Trophy games – with a fine in place if they fail to adhere to the rules.

And that has led to a lot of criticism from clubs, managers and a boycott from some fans concerned about what they see as a move towards a League Three with academy teams involved.

Clubs like Portsmouth have recorded record low attendances for Trophy games and others have attempted to bend the rules.

Bradford City’s changed their goalkeeper after just three minutes when they beat Bury 2-1 in the Northern Group C.

After the match Bradford's assistant manager Kenny Black explained: "He didn't have a particularly good first 45 seconds!

"The rules are there,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “We'd have loved to have played some more young kids but we adhere to the rules.”

And Luton Town manager Nathan Jones said that he would pay any fine himself should his club get into trouble for the number of changes he made in the competition.

Jones made 11 changes for the EFL Trophy game against West Bromwich Albion and the Hatters won the game 2-0.

"If anyone wants to fine us for that group of youngsters, I'll pay the fine myself, because it would be an absolute disgrace," Jones said.

“Premier League sides are allowed to develop their youngsters. I'm telling you, ours are better.

"Why can't we play ours? Anyone who's involved – the EFL, Checkatrade, the FA – who wants to fine us, watch the game.

"You could be recognising these players sooner than you think.”

It’s a viewpoint that County manager Graham Westley shares.

The Exiles can’t afford to pay any fine, however, and Westley fears that his injury-ravaged squad could be further hit as the majority of the team that played in the FA Cup on Sunday will be forced to start again tonight.

“I do think it’s crass,” said Westley. “We played on Sunday and I’m going to be better off with fresh players than I am with tired players.

“One or two of my players could potentially suffer injury, God forbid, if they go again so soon.

“We ought to have that freedom [to change the side]. I think it’s a crass rule.

“Obviously you’ve got to respect the rules and you don’t want to make comments that upset people but I do think it’s crass that we’re in the situation we’re in.

“We can’t afford to take the fine and that’s the unfortunate thing.

“I’ve never understood it. I don’t get it,” he added.

“You see clubs changing their sides for the EFL Cup – fielding second-string XIs or giving young players a chance.

“Why shouldn’t we be able to give our young players a chance?”

To their credit, the County board has opted to dramatically slash the prices for entry to tonight’s home clash with AFC Wimbledon.

And, with £10,000 prizemoney on offer to the winner of each tie, Westley is determined to seal a first home win of his reign and a first victory at Rodney Parade since March.

But with such indifference towards the competition, plus a poor weather forecast and a much more important home match against Carlisle United to come on Saturday it’s hard to see any more than 500 attending the game tonight.

In the last round of matches just 457 fans saw Barnet’s 5-0 defeat to Norwich City under-23s.

Nineteen more supporters watched Stevenage lose on penalties to Brighton & Hove Albion under-23s after a 2-2 draw, while Grimsby Town drew their lowest ever crowd in cup competitions of 609 as they lost 1-0 to Leicester City under-23s.

Fans up and down the country are voting with their feet and if the EFL Trophy is to survive organisers need to have another big rethink to appease lower league clubs.

For now County will be glad to see the back of it.