SHORTLY after the final whistle on Tuesday, Newport County AFC manager Michael Flynn was pointing to a League Two play-offs warning from last June.

The Exiles head to First Green with a two-goal lead tomorrow; they are close to Wembley, but so were Cheltenham last year.

The Robins even had home advantage for the second leg, yet it was Northampton that earned a spot in the final, where they hammered Exeter City.

Here's what happened, with an insight from a former County man…

Northampton Towns Scott Wharton and Cheltenham Towns Jonte Smith (left) battle for the ball during the Sky Bet League Two play-off semi final first leg match at the PTS Academy Stadium, Northampton..

Northampton Town's Scott Wharton and Cheltenham Town's Jonte Smith (left) battle for the ball during the Sky Bet League Two play-off semi final first leg match at the PTS Academy Stadium, Northampton..

THE FIRST LEG

Cheltenham won 2-0 at Sixfields thanks to a penalty save by Owen Evans, a header from Charlie Raglan and a late goal by Conor Thomas.

The post-match tone was similar to the comments from the County camp this week.

"There'll be no sitting back trying to protect any leads," said boss Michael Duff. "In the first half we'll be trying to win that half of football by doing exactly what we've done tonight."

Northampton Towns Callum Morton celebrates scoring his sides third goal of the game during the Sky Bet League Two Play Off match at the The Jonny-Rocks Stadium, Cheltenham.

Northampton Town's Callum Morton celebrates scoring his side's third goal of the game during the Sky Bet League Two Play Off match at the The Jonny-Rocks Stadium, Cheltenham.

THE SECOND LEG

The Cobblers made it a nervy night at Whaddon Road thanks to goal within nine minutes by Vadaine Oliver.

Callum Morton levelled the tie approaching the hour and the on-loan West Brom forward got the winner 13 minutes from time after a defensive mix-up.

Alfie May missed chances to force extra time and Cheltenham had been stunned on their own patch.

"A 2-0 lead is a difficult lead, especially in a second leg at home. It's a mental challenge for the players," said Northampton boss Keith Curle.

"We know what it feels like when you're 2-0 up and the opposition scores. We wanted Cheltenham to have that feeling because we thought we could impose ourselves."

The Cobblers became the first team to lose the first leg by two or more goals and make the final since Yeovil against Nottingham Forest in League One in 2007.

HURRIED: Cheltenhams Ben Tozer under pressure from Countys Lewis Collins

HURRIED: Cheltenham's Ben Tozer under pressure from County's Lewis Collins

A PLAYER'S INSIGHT

Ben Tozer spent two years with County before leaving for Cheltenham in 2018.

"We tried to approach it like any other game but we just didn't perform," said the defender.

"It's easier said than done, subconsciously you have something to protect and hold onto. It's in your mind no matter how hard you try to approach it as 0-0, that's what makes it a hard situation.

"The first goal is important and Northampton scored fairly early, we just never got a hold of the game at all.

"We didn't play our normal game and didn't match them at what they did – they just lumped it and sadly they beat us up.

"If we had decided to turn them around and get them on the back foot things might have been different.

"Newport are in a great position – they'd certainly rather be 2-0 up than 2-0 down – and don't tend to concede many.

"Maybe being away from home, when you automatically set up a bit differently, will help them compared to us.

"Lewis Collins and Padraig Amond would chase a crisp packet in the wind, so that's not a bad thing either.

"Newport can mix it up, they play good stuff but can also do the horrible side of the game as well. They are in the driving seat."

Cheltenham Towns Ben Tozer celebrates with the League Two trophy

Cheltenham Town's Ben Tozer celebrates with the League Two trophy

EPILOGUE

Cheltenham recovered from the disappointment to go up as champions this season.

They pass Northampton on the way with the Cobblers coming straight back down after an inconsistent campaign that saw manager Curle sacked.

"It has been great after it was so hard to respond to a massive disappointment," said Tozer. "We exceeded expectations and can't wait for the new season."

On holiday thanks to automatic promotion, he intends to find a pub to watch whether County can make it to Wembley in their bid to join him in League One.