Image source, Getty Images

The EFL Play-Offs bristle with trademark energy and intensity as we have come to expect, as League Two promotion hopefuls Newport and Mansfield play out a spirited 1-1 draw in the opening game of the 2018-19 series.

Over the next week we'll find out just who will go on to battle it out at Wembley, and who will endure a summer of disappointment and regret.

It'll be some fun too, so stick with us. Continuing with Forest Green v Tranmere tomorrow. Join us.

Until then, good night.

We'll have live text commentary of every play-off game, right through to the finals later this month.

So you won't miss a thing.

And the second legs for your diaries...

Sunday, 12 May

• League Two - Mansfield v Newport (18:00 BST)

Monday, 13 May

• League Two - Forest Green v Tranmere (19:45)

Tuesday, 14 May

• Championship - West Brom v Aston Villa (20:00)

Wednesday, 15 May

• Championship - Leeds v Derby (19:45)

Thursday, 16 May

• League One - Portsmouth v Sunderland (19:45)

Friday, 17 May

• League One - Charlton v Doncaster (19:45)

Image source, Getty Images

Here's what's coming up in the play-off first legs over the next few days...

Friday, 10 May

• League Two - Tranmere v Forest Green (19:45 BST)

Saturday, 11 May

• Championship - Aston Villa v West Brom (12:30)
• Championship - Derby v Leeds (17:15)
• League One - Sunderland v Portsmouth (19:30)

Sunday, 12 May

• League One - Doncaster v Charlton (12:15)

Newport goalscorer Padraig Amond tells Sky Sports:

"We didn't start well. We came into it a lot in the second half and got the deserved goal at the end - thankfully the ball dropped back out to me.

"It was probably not a great penalty but thankfully it came back and I got a chance to knock it in. I was quite relieved, but we're ready to go again Sunday."

Mansfield Town forward Tyler Walker tells Sky Sports:

"It's a very tough place to come, but we held our own, especially first half.

"Second half they got on top a bit more so 1-1 is probably a fair reflection."

Image source, Rex Features

This game is all set for a crackerjack second-leg after the opening semi-final leg ends in a 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade.

Mansfield went in front when CJ Hamilton smashed in on the near-post in the first-half - throughout a game high in perspiration and low in inspiration at times.

Newport kept plugging away and were denied by some wonderful saves from Conrad Logan - who turned villain for Mansfield when he gave away a spot-kick which he saved, but Padraig Amond tucked in the rebound.

It will be tough, physical and dramatic at Field Mill on Sunday, if this is anything to go by.

Level pegging.

Joss Labadie looks like he could play back-row for Newport-Gwent Dragons, let alone stomp around in midfield.

Newport sweep another ball forward, Ben Turner has to nod to touch...

Throw comes in... Labadie's shot turned behind - TURNER AGAIN! Blocked.

Mansfield lose possession on the edge of their box and Jamille Matt streaks away... the Newport striker tries to cross but Conrad Logan smothers at the near post.

Three minutes of added time.

Mickey Demetriou hoists a clearance away. He was hobbling a minute ago. Players are gritting their teeth and getting on with it.

Mansfield on the back of that, looking to keep the pressure on. Free-kick in midfield.

Neither side wants to let slip now, with such a key second-leg to come at Field Mill on Sunday.

Barely time to breathe for either side. Still extremely committed fare.

Mansfield have been rattled into life by that leveller.

However, they can only manage a couple of pot-shots, all blocked.

Newport have been so dogged, so determined not to let their deficit stop them chugging away.

Newport striker Ade Azeez is brought down by Conrad Logan! Penalty!

He chased a long ball through, it looked like it might be running behind, but Logan came, hauled him down...

Some smart passing around the box sees it fizz into Tyler Walker, who drives across the box tantalisingly, but can't get a shot away.

Tries to stand it up at the back post. Dealt with.

Newport pumping it long again. Joss Labadie fires a shot on goal from the edge of the box, from a half-clearance.

Corner follows. Cleared.

Mickey Demetriou nudges the ball out of play to end a Mansfield attack for now.

Mal Benning is coming on for Mansfield, with Danny Rose making way. Is this the Stags settling for a 1-0?

Gethin Jones' cross is poor for Mansfield which invites pressure.

Newport rip in once again, this time a low ball out to Ade Azeez on the left, he strides forward and gets the ball to Robbie Willmott low on the edge of the box, but his shot is blocked.

More refined from the hosts now.

Can't knock Newport at set-pieces. Mansfield knew what was coming, long throw from Mickey Demetriou, flick on by Jamille Matt, but Joss Labadie's shot scrapes wide.

Newport pour forward again, but the ball is punched clear by Stags keeper Conrad Logan.

Ben Turner coaxes Ade Azeez off the ball after a through-ball loops through to safety on another Newport attack.

Joss Labadie coming on for Newport, with Scott Bennett coming off. Newport throwing plenty at it.

Image source, Rex Features

The floodlights have replaced the bright sunshine of the early evening, as temperatures dip but the game is still white hot from an intensity point of view.

Plenty of 50-50s in midfield, plenty of big tackles, plenty of long balls too.