NEWPORT County AFC will head to the New Lawn on Sunday on the brink of a return to Wembley but wary of a Forest Green Rovers reaction.

The Exiles took command of their League Two play-off semi-final with a 2-0 win at Rodney Parade thanks to a first-half stunner from Matty Dolan and a well-timed run and finish by Lewis Collins after the break.

County should have been heading to Gloucestershire with an even bigger lead but are now big favourites to face either Tranmere or Morecambe for the final place in League One, but it's only half-time.

Here are the talking points from the first leg…

BACK: Fans returned to Rodney Parade to watch Countys play-off clash with Forest Green

BACK: Fans returned to Rodney Parade to watch County's play-off clash with Forest Green

FAN POWER

It was an emotional night at Rodney Parade with fans back for the first time since March, 2020, sitting in seats with green stickers, standing on painted footprints and observing one-way systems when masked.

Football and rugby has been played in front of empty stands but Tuesday night showed that the famous old ground doesn't need to be packed for there to be an incredible atmosphere.

I fondly remember an against-the-odds Newport RFC win against an on-the-up Exeter Chiefs in the British & Irish Cup when the Black and Ambers fans, in a crowd shy of four figures, roared their team to a thrilling success.

This was same – it didn't feel like only 900 were in when the teams came out (after fired-up stadium announcer Tim Thraves' terrific rallying cry), when Dolan slammed home, when Collins slotted or referee Charles Breakspear blew the final whistle.

It was not only an amazing night because of the County performance but because of the reward for season ticket holders, who put their hands in their pockets when knowing most of the action would be on iFollow.

But a warning – Forest Green might not be the most raucous of clubs but Jimmy Ball's team will be given a lift when attempting a comeback in Nailsworth.

Fingers crossed County can get the job done to earn a Wembley outing for the Amber Army.

GOAL OF THE SEASON?

Scott Twine has had his speech ready for the gong for months despite his return to Swindon.

The loan star scored some crackers in the first half of the campaign while there have been other terrific goals – Luke Gambin at Oldham, Joss Labadie finishing off a team move at Colchester, Mickey Demetriou's thumping header against Scunthorpe was special in its own way.

But Dolan's hit against Rovers may just top the lot, with the added bonus of being greeted by roars when it flew into the net.

It was a wonderful strike by a man who is now the club's top scorer in League Two with seven after five penalties and a brilliant free-kick against Bradford.

Sorry, Scott. Extra points for the occasion wins this goal my vote for the best of the season.

SAVED: County forward Lewis Collins should have done better with an early chance against Forest Green

SAVED: County forward Lewis Collins should have done better with an early chance against Forest Green

FINISHING WOES

The 900 County fans got to experience in person Michael Flynn's prime irritation of a wonderful season.

Of course we would have all taken 2-0 before kick-off but it should have been more.

Padraig Amond and Lewis Collins set the tone with their energy up front, as they did in the run-in to seal the play-off spot, but were guilty of missing early chances.

Amond was frustratingly still off-target after the break then Aaron Lewis, Nicky Maynard, Ryan Taylor all could have got on the scoresheet to provide more breathing space.

There was a reluctance to pull the trigger that perhaps can be put down to a lack of goals by the strikers. A confident Amond or Maynard, two players who have enjoyed terrific careers thanks to their goal-poaching, would have twisted the knife when Rovers were chasing the game.

Hopefully the misses won't be costly. Hopefully County legend 'Podge' is saving up the biggest of his many goals for Wembley.

Newport County goalkeeper Tom King saves a shot at goal from Odin Bailey of Forest Green Rovers

Newport County goalkeeper Tom King saves a shot at goal from Odin Bailey of Forest Green Rovers

BIG SAVE

County should have been more than two goals to the good, yet it could easily have been a slender one-goal advantage.

Tom King produced a stunning block to deny Odin Bailey after 67 minutes, spreading himself after Aaron Collins opted to square the ball.

The 'keeper's heroics at Southend ensured that the Exiles didn't have to rely on Exeter dropping points to make the top seven and he once again backed up Michael Flynn's decision to bring him in for Nick Townsend, who had a brilliant campaign until a costly error against Cambridge.

King was fired up and had a scuffle with Jamille Matt at the final whistle - perhaps after verbal sparring when the former County man went down to try and win a penalty? - but he will hope that he has an uneventful night in Nailsworth on Sunday then a chance at Wembley to push for a Wales spot at the Euros.