Darren Moore could not hide his pride at steering Port Vale back into League One following a 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.
Two second-half goals from Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Headley sealed an immediate return to the third tier for the Vale Park outfit.
As players and fans alike celebrated in the away end, Moore reflected on the achievement – and admitted his focus in this match was on gaining promotion rather than doing it on home turf in their final game against Gillingham.
He said: “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.”
After a tight first half, the visitors went up a gear in a way that Wimbledon struggled to handle.
Two goals in three minutes effectively sealed the outcome, with Vale taking the lead in the 64th minute when Hedley’s free-kick was flicked on by Stockley past the outstretched arm of Owen Goodman.
Then, three minutes later, George Byers found Hedley who fired his effort past the home keeper.
Wimbledon saw manager Johnnie Jackson sent off following Vale’s second goal, after the home side felt a head injury for Riley Harbottle in the build-up was ignored by referee Declan Bourne.
It was another disappointing afternoon for Wimbledon, who looked impotent up front and unlikely to claw their way back into the contest as they say their own promotion hopes take a hit.
Assistant manager Terry Skiverton felt the second Vale goal should have been disallowed, but admits his side lost momentum.
He said: “In the second half there was a couple of mind-boggling decisions that cost us.
“Harbottle gets a head injury and he’s down for 20 seconds, we alert the fourth official and he says it seems like he’s tried to get up.
“Our lad is down for five minutes after Port Vale score, then seven minutes later one of their players gets a head injury the referee blew up.
“At two goals down it’s really hard for us to get back into the game, the momentum of the game had changed – Port Vale knew how to see the game out.
“It’s tough to take, especially when you see the other team getting promoted and celebrating in front of our fans.”
Oliver Glasner conceded that Crystal Palace were at least mathematically more likely to secure their first major silverware after they booked their place in the FA Cup final with a 3-0 triumph over Aston Villa at Wembley.Ismaila Sarr recorded a second-half brace after Eberechi Eze opened the scoring in the 31st minute, though the winning margin could have been even greater had Jean-Philippe Mateta...
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson commended his side for making history after they completed a hat-trick of promotions to seal a place in the second tier.Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat of Charlton means the hosts have now sealed their third promotion in as many seasons.The Red Dragons started brighter and had a two-goal lead inside the opening 18 minutes.Ollie Rathbone found the back of the net first ...
Hearts have parted company with head coach Neil Critchley following Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to Dundee.Critchley had been in the job for six months, succeeding Steven Naismith in October.His and assistant Mike Garrity’s departure comes with the Jambos having claimed only one point from their last four William Hill Premiership matches as well as losing out in the semi-final of the Scott...
Southend moved into the National League play-off places with a 3-0 home win over a Wealdstone outfit now lying in the relegation zone.Ben Goodliffe headed the Shrimpers in front in the eighth minute, connecting with Gus Scott-Morriss’ cross, and Charley Kendall doubled the advantage with a strike just past the hour mark.Goodliffe almost scored again in the 83rd minute as he saw another heade...
Ismaila Sarr scored two second-half goals as Crystal Palace booked their place in the FA Cup final for a third time following a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley.Eberechi Eze opened the scoring with a lovely finish in the 31st minute – assisted by Sarr – but a missed penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta after the restart added extra drama in the second half.Ollie Watkins started for...
Sam Smith inspired Wrexham to a 3-0 win over Charlton as they confirmed their third promotion in a row, sealing a place in the Championship in front of Hollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.The hosts took an early lead through Ollie Rathbone, who struck first time from the edge of the box in the 16th minute and found the bottom corner.The Welsh side doubled their advantage two minutes ...
Ian Holloway hopes Swindon and Gillingham can put their bad blood behind them after their feisty 1-1 draw.There is an old storied rivalry between the two clubs and there were handbags late on, which resulted in Joe Gbode’s late sending off.Gbode put the hosts in front before Will Wright levelled with a brilliant free-kick six minutes later.Gillingham ended the game with nine men after Gbode ...
Steve Bruce was left fuming after “the worst penalty decision I’ve seen in a long time” denied the Blackpool boss what could have been a winning return to former club Wigan as an entertaining game ended 1-1.Wigan led from the fourth minute, when Jon Mellish’s left-wing delivery somehow crept in at the near post past an embarrassed Harry Tyrer in the Blackpool goal.However, ...
Bromley boss Andy Woodman hailed his players’ never-say-die attitude after their thrilling 3-3 draw at Barrow.The visitors came from behind three times as Michael Cheek, Nicke Kabamba – his first for the club – and Omar Sowunmi’s stoppage-time leveller cancelled out Ben Whitfield’s penalty and efforts from Isaac Fletcher and Elliot Newby.“It was an end-of-season...
Burton boss Gary Bowyer remains grounded as his side moved to the brink of League One safety and relegated Cambridge with a last gasp 2-1 victory.Dylan Williams bagged his first league goal in added on time to push the Brewers to within a point of safety although their superior goal difference over Crawley and Bristol Rovers makes them overwhelming favourites to survive.“It was a win that sy...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 3 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 4 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 5 Liverpool interested in signing Mason Greenwood
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 8 Conor Gallagher's girlfriend dazzles on red carpet as stars gather in Madrid
- 9 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga
- 10 Ancelotti in Brazil job talks