Northampton promoted to League One as Hoskins seals final-day redemption

A superb first-half strike from Sam Hoskins was enough to secure Northampton victory at Tranmere and automatic promotion to League One.

Hoskins, the League Two Player of the Year, volleyed home his 22nd goal of the season in the fifth minute. Northampton suffered final-day heartbreak last season when Bristol Rovers’ 7-0 win over Scunthorpe saw them miss out on goals scored – but there was no repeat this time as they held on to win.

“There’s been a lot of pain to get here,” said the Northampton manager, Jon Brady, in an emotional post-match interview. “Last year hurt and [this time] we don’t have to do playoffs, and can actually just enjoy the moment. [This club] is like a family, we look after each other.”

Stockport County needed Northampton to lose and to beat relegated Hartlepool themselves to snatch the last automatic spot – but they were held to a 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park and must now settle for the playoffs.

Dave Challinor’s side opened the scoring from the penalty spot six minutes before the break after Callum Camps was brought down inside the area. He picked himself up and fired the ball into the top corner, but Pools grabbed an equaliser when Callum Cooke smashed in from outside the area.

The home side had a chance to snatch all three points, and potentially put pressure on Northampton, as Camps stepped up for another penalty. The Hartlepool keeper, Ben Killip, saved his spot-kick, prompting scenes of jubilation at Prenton Park.

Salford City will be the Hatters’ playoff semi-final opponents in a local derby, as they held onto the final spot despite losing 1-0 at home to Gillingham. Cheye Alexander won it for the visitors with a late penalty but Mansfield, who won 2-0 at Colchester, narrowly missed out on goal