Even a win would not have been enough for Martin Paterson’s team to clinch a top-three spot in the end, as Cambridge did enough by drawing 0-0 at Crewe.

Bristol-born wing-back Nick Tsaroulla gave County a 27th-minute lead, slotting in from 10 yards after Alassana Jatta’s downward header from Jodi Jones’ angled cross had bounced off Rovers defender Clinton Mola.

But Ellis Harrison drove in his 14th goal of the season, through the legs of County keeper James Belshaw, to equalise in the 55th minute following a superb long cross-field pass from substitute Tommy Leigh.

Shaq Forde had three good chances for Rovers, seeing a cross-shot pushed away by Belshaw in the 12th minute, driving against the keeper’s legs when clean through later in the half, and then steering wide from a tight angle shortly before Harrison’s equaliser.

Rovers substitute Yusuf Akhamrich rolled wide a great chance with 11 minutes left.

County thought they had won it five minutes from the end when Jacob Bedeau touched in from close range after Matthew Dennis’ chipped cross-shot had hit a post, but the centre-back was offside.