NEWPORT County AFC’s bid for the League Two play-offs was killed off on Tuesday night after wins for Mansfield and Sutton.

The Exiles’ failure to beat Colchester United at Rodney Parade last Friday effectively ended their promotion hopes and it was confirmed in the midweek fixtures that they will remain in the fourth tier.

They won’t get to make the relatively short trip to Exeter City next season after the Grecians confirmed their promotion with a 2-1 win over Barrow.

The Devon club will battle Forest Green Rovers for the title while the third and final automatic promotion spot will go to any one of five clubs.

Northampton are third, Port Vale are fifth and Mansfield moved up to fifth with a 2-0 victory over Stevenage.

Bristol Rovers are sixth while Sutton recorded a vital 3-0 win over Crawley at Gander Green Lane.

They needed those points because Swindon beat Forest Green, who had secured their promotion three days earlier in Bristol, 2-1 at the County Ground.

The Robins are two points behind Sutton in the race for the final spot while Salford City and Tranmere remain in the hunt but need help as they have four to catch up.

Remaining fixtures

This weekend: Carlisle v Stevenage, Colchester v Walsall, Crawley v Leyton Orient, Forest Green v Harrogate, Northampton v Exeter, Rochdale v Bristol Rovers, Scunthorpe v Hartlepool, Sutton v Bradford, Swindon v Barrow, Tranmere v Oldham, Salford v Mansfield (Mon), Port Vale v County (Mon).

Final afternoon: Barrow v Northampton, Bradford v Carlisle, Bristol R v Scunthorpe, Exeter v Port Vale, Harrogate v Sutton, Hartlepool v Colchester, Leyton Orient v Tranmere, Mansfield v Forest Green, County v Rochdale, Oldham v Crawley, Stevenage v Salford, Walsall v Swindon.