Tranmere 0-1 Northampton Town: Sam Hoskins scores the crucial goal as the Cobblers seal their return to League One…avoiding a repeat of last day heartbreak when they missed out on promotion last season
- Northampton sealed promotion to League One after a 1-0 win
- Sam Hoskins scored after just five minutes which turned out to be the winner
- The Cobblers suffered heartache on the last day last year to miss out on promotion
There was no heartbreak for Northampton Town on the final day this time as the Cobblers secured the final automatic League Two promotion spot with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Tranmere.
With Leyton Orient and Stevenage already promoted to League One, anything less than three points for Northampton on Merseyside would have opened the door for Stockport to capitalize, who drew 1-1 at home to relegated Hartlepool after Hartlepool’s Ben Killip saved an injury time penalty of Callum camps.
At this time last year, Northampton were dramatically pipped by Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers, who won 7-0 against Scunthorpe to seal the final automatic promotion spot on the final day, thanks to goals scored.
It took just five minutes for Jon Brady’s side to take the lead at Prenton Park thanks to a stunning volley from Sam Hoskins for his 22nd goal of the season and they held on to ensure they returned to the third tier for a second time of English football. questions after being relegated in 2021.
Relegated to the non-league football pyramid for only the second time in their 115-year history last weekend, Hartlepool did well to keep the Hatters at bay in the first half, but the breakthrough came shortly before the break when Callum Camps was brought down by former Stockport striker Connor Jennings in the penalty area.
Sam Hoskins’ goal in the fifth minute was enough to secure Northampton’s promotion to League One
Jon Brady’s side avoided a repeat of their final day last season heartbreak when they missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference after Bristol Rovers’ 7-0 win over Scunthorpe
Northampton fans faced another nervous confrontation on the final day, but this time their side got the job done
Sam Hoskins celebrates on a supporter’s shoulders after blasting Northampton to League One
Brady (back to camera) celebrates with Harvey Lintott after promotion
From the resulting penalty, Camps hit it into the top corner, but Stockport was penalized for not finishing his chances after the break.
Callum Cooke silenced Edgeley Park with a superb attack from outside the box and although Stockport pressed for a winner, Killip made a superb save to negate Paddy Madden before redeeming Camps from the spot in extra time, much to the delight of the traveling supporters. who were dressed up as cowboys for their annual costume.
For Stockport, a two-legged draw against Salford City stands between them and a place at Wembley to play either Carlisle or Bradford City, after Mansfield missed the play-offs by a goal, despite their 2-0 win at Colchester.