Stevenage 2-0 Grimsby Town: Steve Evans' side seal promotion to League One
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Stevenage will play in League One next season alongside League Two champions Leyton Orient
Luther James-Wildin's first goal for two years sealed promotion to League One for Stevenage as they defeated Grimsby 2-0 at a jubilant Lamex Stadium.
Jamie Reid had earlier opened the scoring for Stevenage, who ended their nine-year stay in English football's fourth tier and gave manager Steve Evans the seventh promotion of his career.
Stevenage thought they had the perfect start when Reid headed in from Carl Piergianni's knock-down in the second minute, but an assistant referee's flag cut their celebrations short.
The hosts upped the pressure in the second half and broke the deadlock after 57 minutes when Reid's header from Jordan Roberts' cross found the bottom corner.
Grimsby goalkeeper Max Crocombe almost presented Stevenage with a second when he lost the ball in his area, only for Luke Waterfall to clear off the line from Danny Rose.
But the party could begin for the hosts in the 67th minute when Reid laid the ball off for substitute James-Wildin, who coolly stroked the ball past Crocombe from the edge of the area.
Evans steers Stevenage ship to success
Just three seasons ago Stevenage only avoided relegation out of the English Football League because of Bury's expulsion and financial problems at Macclesfield - giving them a reprieve despite finishing second-bottom.
The Boro found themselves in another relegation battle last season, until Steve Evans replaced Paul Tisdale in mid-March and steered them away from the drop zone.
That was just the start of the Evans revolution at the Lamex Stadium.
The former Gillingham, Mansfield and Leeds boss splits opinion but Stevenage were clearly the perfect fit for the Scot, with the Hertfordshire club spending the whole of this season in the automatic promotion race.
Boro have won more home points - 53 - than anyone else in the division, with Evans' side also the highest home scorers in the division, with 40.
They also reached the FA Cup fourth round this season, thanks to a memorable win at Premier League side Aston Villa and - despite a dicey February - Stevenage managed to get back on track and over the line.
It means the club will line up in League One for the first time in 10 seasons, with Evans deservedly being showered with plaudits.
Match details supplied by PA Media.