Ian McLoughlin made his 11th appearance for Newport County on Saturday afternoon but couldn’t prevent them from suffering a 1-0 defeat to promotion-chasing York City.
The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was an unused substitute for the Easter Monday draw with Burton Albion but started Saturday’s clash as the Exiles looked to climb back into the top half of Sky Bet League 1.
However, Justin Edinburgh’s men left Bootham Crescent empty-handed due to Michael Coulson’s 77th minute free-kick, which gave McLoughlin no chance in the Newport goal.
Meanwhile, Luke Chadwick and Cambridge United ended their regular season with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Gateshead on Saturday afternoon.
United, assured of second-place in the Skrill Conference Premier, went into the game looking to build confidence ahead this week’s play-offs but were beaten for a fourth straight game thanks to goals from Colin Larkin and Robert Ramshaw either side of half-time.
Chadwick started the match but was replaced by Josh Gillies in the 57th minute with, perhaps, one eye on the Play-Off Semi Final First Leg away at FC Halifax Town on Wednesday evening.
And finally, Harry Hickford returned to the starting XI for Chelmsford City on Saturday as the Clarets finished their season with a 2-0 defeat away at Weston-Super-Mare.
The Clarets secured their Skrill Conference South status earlier in the week after a 1-0 win over Gosport Borough but weren’t able to end the season on a high with goals Dayle Grubb and Bradley Ash were enough for the home side.
Hickford made a total of seven starts for Chelmsford during his loan spell, helping the Essex club to one win and three draws as they avoid relegation from English football’s sixth tier.
This week’s fixtures:
Wednesday
Luke Chadwick – FC Halifax Town v CAMBRIDGE CITY (Skrill Premier Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg)
Saturday
Ian McLoughlin – NEWPORT COUNTY v Rochdale (Sky Bet League 2)
Sunday
Luke Chadwick –CAMBRIDGE CITY v FC Halifax Town (Skrill Premier Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg)