Port Vale head to League One after play-off success against Mansfield

Port Vale comfortably dispatched of Mansfield 3-0 to seal a first return to League One since 2015/16

HAPPY DAYS: Players and staff of Port Vale celebrate with the Sky Bet League Two Play Off Trophy Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

PORT VALE comfortably dispatched of Mansfield 3-0 to seal a first return to League One since 2015/16, reports Matthew Chadder from Wembley Stadium.

Port vale booked their ticket to the capital via a dramatic 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory against Swindon Town, whilst opponents Mansfield defeated Northampton 3-1.

Port Vale were making their third appearance at the home of football – winning and losing at the ground just seven days apart in 1993.

It was also Mansfield’s third Wembley appearance. However, they had yet to taste victory under the iconic arch and were also searching for a first Play-Off final victory.

Mansfield kicked-off their final match of their 125th season as a football club, and almost went ahead in the 8th minute through Jamie Murphy, but he failed to find the corner from five yards out.

In the 18th minute Vales’ Kian Harratt’s curling shot from outside the box struck the inside of the post.

This brought the Port Vale end to life and the noise from the fans produced an incredible response on the pitch.

In the 20th minute Vale broke quickly through Mal Benning who crossed to the far post where Harratt was left unmarked to head home, sparking pandemonium in Wembley’s west atrium.

This pandemonium seemed to spill onto the pitch as just moments later Vale were in again and after Ben Garrity’s looping header struck the crossbar, James Wilson headed home the rebound, sending their fans into dreamland.

Just 25 minutes in and Nigel Clough’s side looked to have had the tie taken away from them.

And in the 36th minute Mansfield completely unravelled as Oliver Hawkins received his second yellow card within five minutes for a late challenge on Wilson.

The Stags needed a true miracle now, and on a day where Liverpool feature in a Champions League final, it seemed as if Mansfield needed some Istanbul magic themselves.

Luck just continued to go against the team in yellow when in the 41st minute they had a chance cleared off the line by what looked like millimetres.

The second half became a formality as Port Vale managed the game well with little action at either end.

Vale did have the ball in the net twice in the half, however both times the linesman’s flag cut celebrations short.

But in the 84th minute it was third time lucky, as winger Benning capped off a fine performance with a goal at the far post. 

After a disastrous first-half the mountain was just too steep to climb for Mansfield, and the referee’s final whistle ended their misery and signalled the beginning of Vale’s party.

At full-time manager Darrell Clarke passionately celebrated bringing Vale back to League One at the expense of his former club, whom he made 174 appearances.

As for Clough, he will look to pick his players up for next season as they will have to go again in their bid for promotion.

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