NEWPORT County AFC will have a reunion with Lennie Lawrence in the coming season after Stevenage were saved from relegation, with Macclesfield instead dropping out of League Two.

The Silkmen will be in the National League following an independent arbitration panel decision, the English Football League confirmed.

In June an independent disciplinary commission handed Macclesfield a two-point penalty and a £20,000 fine after the club were charged with misconduct related to the payment of player wages in March 2020.

The EFL subsequently appealed, opening up the possibility of a further points deduction that would leave them bottom of League Two and thus relegate them.

On Tuesday, an Arbitration Panel confirmed the two-point deduction will stand and in addition to this Macclesfield will be deducted four points, which changes their points per game (PPG) total to 23.62, meaning they finish the season in 24th and will be relegated to the National League.

South Wales Argus:

Macclesfield's points deduction means Stevenage, who have now ended the 2019-20 season in 23rd position, have avoided relegation and will remain in League Two for the upcoming campaign.

An EFL statement read: "An independent Arbitration Panel has upheld the EFL's appeal in respect of the outcome of an independent Disciplinary Commission who in June 2020 had considered misconduct charges brought against Macclesfield Town.

"The charges related to failing to pay a number of players on the applicable payment dates due in March 2020, failing to act with utmost good faith in respect of matters with the EFL and for breaching an order, requirement, direction or instruction of the League.

"The Arbitration Panel confirmed that the two-point suspended sporting sanction activated on 19 June 2020 from previous proceedings will stand and in addition the four point deduction, originally suspended in the latest proceedings and only to be activated in the event of a further breach of Regulation 63.7 during season 2020/21, will be activated immediately and applied to the 2019/20 table.

"The outcome leaves Macclesfield Town in 24th position in the table on 19 points with a points per game (PPG) total of 23.62, resulting in the Club's relegation into the National League. The Arbitration panel's decision is final and binding. The EFL will be making no further comment."

South Wales Argus:

Lawrence left his role as management consultant for a similar role at Stevenage.

The veteran arrived at Rodney Parade in March 2017 to give advice to novice caretaker boss Michael Flynn and helped County survive relegation in their great escape, enjoy some FA Cup upsets and make it to the final of the 2019 play-offs.

Lawrence has headed to Stevenage to carry out a similar role with Alex Revell and can now start plotting for League Two football rather than the National League.

The decision over the final place means fixtures will be announced soon for the coming campaign, which gets under way on September 12.

Macclesfield have gone down with Barrow and Harrogate coming up while Tranmere, Southend and Bolton suffered League One relegation and Swindon, Crewe, Plymouth and Northampton were promoted. Bury droppped out of the EFL.