NEWPORT County AFC have lost their shortest League Two trip of the season after Forest Green Rovers’ relegation was confirmed.

The Gloucestershire side were on the brink of the drop after their hammering at Wrexham on Saturday and their fate was sealed on Tuesday when Colchester beat Grimsby 2-0 after goals by Tom Hopper and John Akinde.

It has been a chaotic campaign at the New Lawn that started with big media attention for the appointment of caretaker boss Hannah Dingley.

She was overlooked for the top job but David Horseman left in December, player-coach Troy Deeney had a wild six-game spell in charge and then experienced boss Steve Cotterill took over in January but they failed to grind their way to safety.

Forest Green will now attempt to bounce back to the Football League at the first attempt and it looks like Sutton will join them despite their superb form to give themselves a chance of a great escape.

Steve Morison’s men will be down if they lose at home to Crawley on Saturday or Colchester win at Notts County and Grimsby avoid defeat at home to Swindon.

Relegation is almost sorted and automatic promotion is done and dusted after Mansfield beat Accrington 2-1 to join Wrexham and Stockport in going up. George Maris and Stephen Quinn scored for the Stags.

South Wales Argus: CELEBRATION: Mansfield went 2-0 up through Stephen QuinnCELEBRATION: Mansfield went 2-0 up through Stephen Quinn (Image: PA)

Nigel Clough, named League Two manager of the year on Sunday, said: “It is a special night and an unbelievable achievement for Mansfield to be playing in the league above for the first time in 22 years.

“This is for the thousands that were here tonight, some people have been supporting the club for 50-60 years – it’s for them.

“They have seen some quite low times here over the years, so it’s lovely they can enjoy tonight.

“Some supporters have said to me it’s the best season they have ever seen at Mansfield, not just the promotion but the football – and that is pleasing.”

Stockport were crowned champions after a 5-2 win at Notts County – with Paddy Madden scoring a first-half hat-trick – with the big tussle still to be settled being the race for the play-offs.

MK Dons are sure of a spot in the semi-finals and Crewe are on the brink despite a wobble in form.

Crawley and Barrow are in the final berths after a 1-1 draw at Broadfield Stadium while Walsall moved within a point of the top seven as Danny Johnson scored in the 89th minute to seal a 2-1 win over Swindon.

Remarkably, Doncaster are now in a great position to move into the top seven – they have moved from relegation danger to contention thanks to eight wins on the spin and will be in if they keep the streak going.

LEAGUE ONE

There is also a tense battle to avoid dropping down from League One with Carlisle already down and Fleetwood on the brink.

Veteran defender Curtis Davies scored a 71st-minute winner as Cheltenham grabbed a priceless 2-1 win at fellow strugglers Burton, moving the visitors within two points of Albion who remain one place above the drop zone.

Port Vale are still in deep trouble after a 2-1 home defeat to Wycombe, for whom Nigel Lonwijk scored a late winner, and Cambridge are not certain of safety after they fell 1-0 to Chris Martin’s 87th-minute goal at Bristol Rovers.

Sky Bet League Two

Champions: Stockport

Promoted: Mansfield, Wrexham

Relegated: Forest Green

Confirmed in fourth tier for next season: Carlisle (relegated from League One), Chesterfield (promoted from National League), Accrington, Morecambe, Newport County, Notts County, Salford, Swindon, Tranmere.