It's job done for Valiants as win at Wimbledon confirms elevation

PORT Vale completed their promotion mission on the visit to AFC Wimbledon. CLIVE YOULTON continues his review of the Valiants’ season...

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DARREN Moore and his Port Vale team were within touching distance of promotion back to League One at the first attempt.

The Valiants only took one point from six over Easter but still managed to go into the last two games in second place thanks to other results going their way.

Moore's team had a 12.30pm kickoff in south London and would be promoted if they won and Bradford City failed to beat Doncaster Rovers in the other early kickoff. If Bradford did win, Vale would still go up if they picked up three points and Walsall didn’t beat Accrington Stanley later in the day. Or if they drew and Walsall lost.

As per the script, Bradford lost and so did Walsall later on.

More significantly, Vale triumphed 2-0 with a fantastic display at Plough Lane to cement their elevation back to the third tier.

The Burslem outfit were back in League One and Doncaster had joined them.

The afternoon had been sensational, stunning and spectacular.

Moore's side knew what they had to do and went out and did it.

They may have been tentative in the first half in a tense game but, roared on by more than 1,200 travelling fans, they came alive in the second half, scored two brilliant goals from Jayden Stockely and Jaheim Headley, and wrapped up a return to League One with a game to spare.

It was the first time since 1930 (stat courtesy of Phil Sherwin) that Vale had bounced back immediately from relegation.

Owner Carol Shanahan OBE, the staff, the players and management team jumped for joy on the pitch after the final whistle sounded.