Port Vale promoted to League One with victory at AFC Wimbledon

Port Vale secured automatic promotion to League One after beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

Second-half goals by Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Hedley ensured Vale would finish in the top three and also made a dent in the home side’s push for the play-offs.

Vale created the first real attempt of the game which saw Lorent Tolaj fire over from 12 yards out following a cross by Ryan Croasdale.

The hosts responded with a Sam Hutchinson effort from the edge of the area which was kept out at full-stretch by Ben Amos in first-half injury time.

Vale upped the tempo in the second half, and they struck twice within the space of three minutes just after the hour.

Hedley’s 64th-minute free-kick was flicked on by Stockley past the outstretched hand of Owen Goodman to open the scoring.

Then, three minutes later, Hedley got on the scoresheet himself when he fired home after being found by George Byers.

Wimbledon saw manager Johnnie Jackson sent off after the second goal and the hosts struggled to get back into the contest as Vale comfortably held on to confirm their return to League One.