Background Tranmere had last played in the third tier of English football in 2014 while Newport had never played at that level. Having been promoted into the
EFL through the
2018 National League play-off final, Tranmere were aiming to win back-to-back promotions. Newport had been promoted to the EFL for the first time in their history when they won the
2013 Conference Premier play-off final 2–0 against
Wrexham. Coming into the final, Newport had gone on an unbeaten 12-match run while Tranmere had failed to win any of their last four games. The referee for the match was Ross Joyce,
assisted by Nik Barnard and Rob Smith, with Eddie Ilderton acting as the
fourth official and Matthew Lee the
reserve assistant referee. Neither team were changed from their play-off semi-final second legs, with Newport's
Jamille Matt recovering from a leg injury. There was no clear favourite to win with different bookmakers supporting both Tranmere and Newport. Newport manager
Michael Flynn noted prior to the game that there was "a lot of experience between the two squads at Wembley, which is quite surreal for League Two players. They have got a few good players – it is not just about James Norwood. We have to concentrate on what we can do as well." With less than ten minutes of the half remaining, Day saved a low Perkins strike from around . In the 43rd minute, Perkins broke from midfield for Tranmere and passed to Harris whose cross was headed over the Newport goal by Norwood, and the half ended goalless.
Second half No changes were made by either side during the half-time interval and Tranmere kicked off the second half. In the 50th minute, Willmott's pass found
Josh Sheehan whose shot was blocked by Monthe and Nelson. Three minutes later, Tranmere made the first
substitution of the match, with
Ben Pringle coming on to replace Harris. In the 55th minute, Matt received the first yellow card of the game for impeding the Tranmere goalkeeper Davies as he tried to release the ball early after saving a
Dan Butler free kick. A minute later Day tipped a high cross from Pringle over the bar.
Joss Labadie then shot wide for Newport before Tranmere's
Liam Ridehalgh saw his free kick strike the defensive wall and cleared. With four minutes remaining, Monthe was brought down by Matt in the Tranmere penalty area but no penalty was awarded. In the last minute of regular time, Newport were reduced to ten men: O'Brien clashed with Norwood, and the Newport captain was sent off for a second yellow card. Three minutes into injury time, Banks played in Norwood but his shot was wide. After five minutes of added time, the second half was brought to an end, still goalless, forcing the match into extra time.
Extra time Tyreeq Bakinson became Newport's third substitute when he came on to replace Sheehan at the start of the first period of extra time. In a half of few chances, Tranmere's appeal for a penalty was denied with five minutes remaining when Norwood was brought down by Demetriou. Three minutes later, Newport made their third substitution with Matt being replaced by Azeez. A minute later, Davies made a comfortable save from a Willmott header and a subsequent chance from Amond. After a minute of injury time, the half was brought to an end with the score remaining 0–0. Before the start of the second half of extra time, Newport made their fourth and final substitution,
Keanu Marsh-Brown coming on for Willmott. Within a minute of his introduction, Marsh-Brown's shot was saved by Davies. Norwood then went close, denied once again by Davies, before Banks' free kick was struck high over the Newport crossbar.
Details ==Post-match==