Newport’s hopes of breaking into the National Leagues will have to put on the backburner for 12 months after their promotion aspirations finally ended.

Saturday’s 20-13 defeat at Peterborough means the Fishes can no longer reach the play-offs, a position on offer for the runners-up in Midlands One.

But director of rugby Ray Price insists the club can still reflect on a season of substantial development.

“We have still got two games left and we want to end on a high,” said Price.

“But whatever happens, we have still made super progress and everything is in a much better position than 12 months ago.”

Newport’s hopes appeared to have vanished in the first half on Saturday as they trailed 13-3, a James Curgenven penalty failing to cancel out two successful Peterborough kicks and a converted try.

The Fishes, however, got themselves back on level terms with a second half revival thanks to another Curgenven penalty and a converted try from Paul Buttery.

But it was Peterborough who were to claim two precious points in the final eight minutes as Newport – who had Tomasi Tanumi, George Amirtage and Mark Millward all sin-binned – came up just short.

“It was a very physical game,” admitted Price. “They had decided they were going to rough us up and there was a lot of stamping and trampling.

“Unfortunately, the ref didn’t do very much to protect us. The lads put in a good performance but it wasn’t quite good enough.”

If Newport’s promotion ambitions ended on Saturday, Luctonians’ are still very much alive after they defeated Malvern 15-3 at Mortimer Park.

Winger Andy Garrod and Nick Byron scored the Luctonians’ tries in the first half with Brett Prior converting one.

Prior also kicked a penalty to cancel out a successful Malvern kick.

Lucs now have a one point advantage over third place Kenilworth with two games remaining.

By JAMES GARRISON