Exeter City 2-0 Scunthorpe United
- Published
Scunthorpe were promoted from League Two despite boss Russ Wilcox's record unbeaten start to a managerial career being ended by Exeter City.
The Iron had been undefeated in Wilcox's previous 28 games at the helm.
Craig Woodman fired into the top corner from 25 yards for his first ever Exeter goal to give City the lead.
Jimmy Keohane doubled the advantage after the break as keeper Sam Slocombe fumbled his low effort from the edge of the box and it crept over the line.
But, despite the loss, the Iron still gained automatic promotion after fourth-placed Fleetwood drew at home to Southend United.
The result also ended Exeter's slim fears of relegation from League Two, and was just their sixth home win of the season.
Woodman's strike was the highlight of an otherwise forgettable first half as the left-back got on the end of a free-kick played square across the edge of the box from Matt Oakley.
Scunthorpe had their best chance six minutes after the restart as Sam Winnall headed over from six yards after a cross from the right.
Keohane then struck as the impressive Irishman picked up the ball 25 yards out before advancing unchallenged to the edge of the area where his relatively tame low shot was fumbled over the line by Slocombe.
Exeter had an appeal for a penalty turned down by referee Trevor Kettle when John O'Flynn's 57th-minute strike was blocked by a the arm of a sliding David Mirfin.
Eliot Richards and Liam Sercombe had chances from distance for City as the second half drew to a close.
Scunthorpe United manager Russ Wilcox told BBC Radio Humberside:
"We're all delighted. I don't want to touch on the game too much because that was really disappointing, but obviously the bigger picture is we've got the club back up to League One at the first attempt which is an outstanding achievement.
"There have been periods this season where I've had to make big decisions and big changes.
"Some players have been disappointed, but what they've channelled that into playing a huge part backing up the players that are in their shirt.
"We'll focus first on York. It gives us a little time this week to sit down with the chairman and everybody else and see where we are going to take the club."
- Published7 June 2019