Plymouth Argyle are the champions of League One after beating Port Vale 3-1 at Vale Park, despite going a goal down. Steven Schumacher’s team ended on 101 points and took home the trophy after sealing a win on the final day. Ipswich Town could only draw at Fleetwood but they did hit the 100 goal mark as they finished second, while the real drama came in the hunt for the play-off places.
Derby only needed a point at Hillsborough to secure their top six status but Curtis Davies was sent off in the first half after a defensive howler. The 38-year-old put his side in trouble with a backpass and then was adjudged to have pulled back Marvin Johnson who went down under barely any contact.
The referee awarded a penalty that Michael Smith converted, while Davies was shown a straight red card that disrupted the Rams’ gameplan completely. With Peterborough winning 2-0 at Barnsley, Paul Warne’s side desperately chased a goal in the closing moments, but they just couldn’t find it.
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Goals from Jonson Clarke-Harris and Jack Taylor secured a major win for Posh, who beat 4th place Barnsley at Oakwell to set up a two-legged tie with Sheffield Wednesday. Meanwhile the Tykes will take on Bolton who enjoyed a healthy day in front of goal with a 3-2 win at Bristol Rovers.
At the bottom, it is Cambridge United who survive after they secured the win 2-0 they needed over bottom club Forest Green Rovers. Harrison Dunk and Sam Smith got on the scoresheet to tip the odds in their favour, but they still needed other results to go their way.
Despite peppering the Burton Albion goal, MK Dons couldn’t find the goal they needed and a 0-0 draw confirmed their relegation down to League Two. It’s been a difficult year for Mark Jackson’s side, who were fancied by a few to challenge at the top of the table this term. Meanwhile, Morecambe also have to come to terms with relegation, just two years after they got that shock promotion from League Two via the play-offs.
Despite two Cole Stockton goals, a Jay Stansfield hat-trick in his final game for Exeter secured a 3-2 win for the home side. That was a fitting end to his spell at St James’ Park, where his late father was such a legend.
So, Morecambe and MK Dons are relegated to League Two alongside Accrington Stanley and Forest Green Rovers. Meanwhile, Peterborough United stole the final play-off place from under the nose of Derby County, who will be kicking themselves as they prepare for another season in the third tier.
But the party can begin for Plymouth who have stunned the big boys to win the League One title. They are the only member of the top five that haven’t played Premier League football before yet now they are only one step away from the big time.
The Pilgrims have done it on a dramatic final day. Champions.
LEAGUE ONE RESULTS:
Barnsley 0-2 Peterborough
Bristol Rovers 2-3 Bolton
Burton 0-0 MK Dons
Cambridge 2-0 Forest Green
Cheltenham 2-2 Charlton
Exeter 3-2 Morecambe
Fleetwood 2-2 Ipswich
Lincoln 1-0 Shrewsbury
Oxford 1-2 Accrington
Port Vale 1-3 Plymouth
Portsmouth 2-2 Wycombe
Sheffield Wed 1-0 Derby
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