Port Vale manager Darren Moore was keen to focus on the “magnitude” of what his already-promoted side has achieved this season despite ending with a 1-0 defeat at home to Gillingham.
Vale needed leaders Doncaster to drop points away at Notts County to have any chance of finishing in top spot but Rovers ran out 2-1 winners to be crowned champions.
A stunning goal from Aaron Rowe secured all three points for Gillingham, who ended the campaign on the back of a 12-match unbeaten run.
“When I look at the grand scale of it, I’m just absolutely elated with what we’ve achieved this season,” Moore said.
“When you look at the four teams that came down last year and where we are back to 12 months later, it shows the outstanding work everybody’s done here at Vale Park.
“The road’s never straight, it’s never easy. There’s been a lot of hard work gone into it. But I’m really pleased for the football club.
“It’s a proud moment for me today to walk down the tunnel and come out and see Vale Park full.
“It really did make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up because it really shows the magnitude of what’s been achieved this season.
“I thank all the fans for not just today but the consistent support they’ve shown all season after a difficult campaign 12 months ago.”
The winning goal came in the 56th minute when Rowe created space for himself on the edge of the area before firing a left-footed shot into the top corner.
Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth, a former Vale winger, said: “I’m really, really pleased with the boys. I’m proud of that performance.
“Defensively we were absolutely resolute. We changed shape to combat what Port Vale bring and the boys were excellent.
“First half I thought we could have been better at holding the ball up. We kept coming back a little bit too easy and there were a couple of hairy moments, especially one where we played a lad onside.
“But after that I think chances were few and far between, which they have been since I’ve come in.
“This is a good side, this is a very good side. They’re second in the league. They could even have become champions today.
“I know there wasn’t too much on it at the end because Doncaster have won but, wow, it brings back great memories being here. It’s a fantastic football club.”
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