Accrington Stanley 2-0 Yeovil Town
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Sixteen wins in 19 matches have propelled Accrington Stanley into League One for the first time
Accrington Stanley clinched promotion to League One for the first time in their history as striker Billy Kee's double saw them beat Yeovil Town.
Kee, the top scorer in League Two, headed in Sean McConville's corner to open the scoring and he added a second with a rebound just moments later.
John Coleman's side - unbeaten in 14 matches - also extended their lead at the top of the table to four points.
Kee almost had a hat-trick late on, but volleyed in to the side-netting.
A minimum of two wins from their remaining four games would guarantee Stanley the League Two title after 12 consecutive seasons in the division.
Third-tier football will be the highest level Stanley have played at since their reformation in 1968, having resigned from the English Football League for financial reasons in 1962.
After returning in 2006, the Crown Ground club lost League Two play-off semi-finals in 2011 and 2016 - both under Coleman - yet they finished in the bottom half of the table in all their other seasons since returning.
However Coleman, who returned for his second spell in charge in 2014, has now overseen arguably the greatest triumph in the Lancashire outfit's history.
He has guided them to 16 wins in their past 19 games to leapfrog all their promotion rivals, with three Stanley players included in the PFA League Two Team of the Year.
Jubilant fans invaded the pitch at the full-time whistle, after a game the hosts controlled and could have won by more, McConville having a lob that hit the bar midway through the second half.
Visitors Yeovil, who were second best amid the party atmosphere, remain nine points clear of the relegation zone, with three matches to play.
Accrington boss John Coleman said: "It's been a tough season. We lost one of our apprentices Jordan Moseley, one of our former directors John Demaine died last week and we wouldn't be where we are now without him.
"And it's my late dad's 91st birthday and you would like to think he played a part.
"You can't help but get emotional but it's all about the players. They were fantastic against Yeovil, it was 2-0 but it could have been 16-0 as we really turned on the style in the second half.
"The fans have come out in their numbers and I am delighted for them. The whole team and staff have worked so hard and we have got our rewards. We will give it a good go in League One, it is a massive achievement. It's absolutely fantastic."
Accrington's Billy Kee (right) has scored 24 league goals this season....
... And could not contain his emotion after the final whistle
Fans invaded the pitch at the Crown Ground to celebrate Stanley's promotion
- Published18 April 2018
