Port Vale secured automatic promotion to League One after beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Second-half goals by Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Hedley ensured Vale would finish in the top three and also made a dent in the home side’s push for the play-offs.
Vale created the first real attempt of the game which saw Lorent Tolaj fire over from 12 yards out following a cross by Ryan Croasdale.
The hosts responded with a Sam Hutchinson effort from the edge of the area which was kept out at full-stretch by Ben Amos in first-half injury time.
Vale upped the tempo in the second half, and they struck twice within the space of three minutes just after the hour.
Hedley’s 64th-minute free-kick was flicked on by Stockley past the outstretched hand of Owen Goodman to open the scoring.
Then, three minutes later, Hedley got on the scoresheet himself when he fired home after being found by George Byers.
Wimbledon saw manager Johnnie Jackson sent off after the second goal and the hosts struggled to get back into the contest as Vale comfortably held on to confirm their return to League One.
Darren Moore delight as Port Vale win immediate promotion back to League One
Port Vale boss Darren Moore:
“Today was a case of getting the promotion sealed, and that’s what we secured. Next week we’ll see our fans and it will be a packed house at Vale Park.
“I’m really pleased for everyone connected with the club, I was pleased with the performance as much as anything.
“We know that to come here, it’s not an easy place to come to. They haven’t given much away here all season.
“But the manner we took the game to them was really pleasing, and I’m so proud of the players.
“We had moments in the game, and credit to the players after the disallowed goal for regaining their focus.
“The header from Jayden was textbook, and the second goal from Jaheim is a fantastic well-worked goal.”
