Summary

  • Port Vale promoted to League One

  • Kian Harratt and James Wilson goals for Vale in space of five minutes

  • Oli Hawkins sent off for Mansfield in first half

  • Vale sealed victory through Mal Benning strike

  • Mansfield finished 7th, three points behind 5th-placed Port Vale

  • Huddersfield v Nottm Forest in Championship play-off final on Sunday (16:30 BST)

  1. Postpublished at 15:56 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    Fans are at their seats, the teams are out and the obligatory handshakes are taking place. The stage is set for another big final at Wembley.

    The national anthem rings around the stadium and we're almost ready to go.

  2. Stags fan flies in from Australia for finalpublished at 15:56 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    Mansfield fan Aaron Eccleston has flown over from Australia to be at Wembley - that's what you call commitment!

    I think that also settles any conversation about who has travelled the furthest to be here to watch the game.

    He'll be hoping the Stags are a League One team by the time he hops back on the plane for the long journey home.

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  3. No stopping the Valiants?published at 15:54 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    The atmosphere is building nicely before kick-off in the Port Vale fanzone.

    A bit of Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' getting the fans in the mood!

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  4. Port Vale team newspublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    Port Vale playersImage source, PA Media

    If it's not broken, don't fix it is the message from Darrell Clarke - Port Vale are unchanged from the team that beat Swindon on penalties.

    Port Vale: Stone, Gibbons, Hall, Smith, Worrall, Garrity, Wilson, Benning, Taylor, Pett, Harratt

    Subs: Covolan, Proctor, Martin, Amoo, Charsley, Robinson, Edmondson

  5. Mansfield team newspublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    Mansfield playersImage source, Rex Features

    Nigel Clough makes two changes to the side that beat Northampton 10 days ago, with Matty Longstaff and Jamie Murphy coming in and Kieran Wallace and Lucas Akins dropping to the bench.

    Mansfield: Bishop, Hewitt, Perch, Hawkins, McLaughlin, O'Toole, Longstaff, Quinn, Murphy, Oates, Bowery

    Subs: Stech, Wallace, Clarke, Stirk, Maris, Lapslie, Akins

  6. 'My family and I are so thankful'published at 15:47 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    Darrell ClarkeImage source, Rex Features

    Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke said the "exceptional" support he has received from everyone at the club gave him the "strength" and "desire" to return after suffering a close family bereavement.

    Clarke spent six weeks away on compassionate leave before coming back at the end of March to steer Vale into the play-off final, and he signed a new five-year deal with the club this week.

    "I'm so grateful and thankful and so are my family," he said.

    "Loads of people out there who've lost loved ones will tell you it's not easy.

    "I'm a fighter and my family are fighters and the support and love that people have shown us have given us the strength to return."

  7. Crowd troublespublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    Ben Garner and Swindon players are surrounded on the pitch at Vale ParkImage source, PA Media

    While both semi-final wins were massive occasions for these two clubs, they were somewhat overshadowed by the pitch invasions on the final whistle that have been creeping into the game around the country.

    Swindon boss Ben Garner said his players were "physically and verbally abused" by Vale fans who ran on to the pitch, with TV footage showing some altercations with Robins players.

    While Mansfield boss Nigel Clough said pitch invasions were becoming "concerning" after one of his players was apparently shoved by a fan at Northampton.

    A man was also jailed after headbutting Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp after the club's defeat to Nottingham Forest, while in the Premier League an Everton supporter confronted Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira after the Toffees' comeback victory which ensured their survival.

  8. Swindon push Port Vale all the waypublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    Port Vale players celebrateImage source, Rex Features

    For Port Vale, it couldn't have been closer. Nothing could separate them and Swindon Town after two legs and 210 minutes of football.

    The Robins had won the first leg 2-1 at the County Ground, taking a commanding lead through Harry McKirdy's double before James Wilson's late reply gave Vale a decisive foothold in the game.

    Wilson's early strike levelled the tie at Vale Park and the score remained 2-2 as the clock wound down to full-time, then on to the end of extra-time. Cue the nail-biting tension and unpredictable madness of penalties.

    Two of Vale's first three were saved but from then on their players held their nerve.

    Mal Benning scored their sixth spot-kick before Ellis Iandolo blazed over to earn the hosts their final spot at Wembley.

  9. Mansfield compound Northampton miserypublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    Steve McLaughlin's eighth goal of the season secured Mansfield Town's place at WembleyImage source, PA Media

    Northampton Town barely had time to recover from the disappointment on missing out on automatic promotion, despite beating Barrow 3-1 on the final day and having gone into the match in third place, before having to pick themselves up for a play-off semi-final against Mansfield.

    Goals from Rhys Oates and Jordan Bowery, before Ali Koiki's response, gave the Stags a 2-1 lead going into the second leg in Northampton, where Steve McLaughlin's controversial first-half winner sealed the win for the Nottinghamshire side.

    The result completed a miserable 11 days for the Cobblers after Elliot Anderson's 85-minute goal - Bristol Rovers' seventh of the game - completed the five-goal swing needed for the Pirates to go up on goal difference at the expense of Northampton on the last day of the League Two season.

  10. Title deciderspublished at 15:36 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    Forest Green Rovers celebrate winning the League Two title on the final day of the seasonImage source, PA Media

    Both these sides played their part in a crazy final day of League Two in which the title changed hands and Bristol Rovers usurped Northampton Town in the final automatic promotion spot - courtesy of a bonkers 7-0 win against Scunthorpe.

    Exeter City went into their match knowing they would win the title if they could better Forest Green Rovers' result against Mansfield.

    The only team standing in their way was, you guessed it... Port Vale. Step forward James Wilson for Vale and a late Josh March equaliser to secure the title for Forest Green on goal difference, as the games ended Exeter 0-1 Port Vale, Mansfield 2-2 Forest Green.

    Vale would finish fifth in the table, while the point ensured Mansfield finished seventh - in the final play-off spot.

  11. Wembley buzz is buildingpublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    Andrew Aloia
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    Mansfield fans outside Wembley StadiumImage source, PA Media

    The build-up has been a nice long one for Mansfield Town and Port Vale fans in north-west London.

    Many a Valiant chant was heard on Wembley Way before noon. A herd of Stags fans were also in full voice in the Mansfield Town supporter’s zone over lunch, as supporters drunk in the festival atmosphere around the home of English football.

    The feeling of anticipation has grown throughout the afternoon, with the throng of expectant fans now forming a wall of noise around the pitch. So far the biggest roars of the day have been for each side as they emerged for their pre-game warm ups.

    The buzz is well and truly building.

  12. Good afternoon from Wembley!published at 15:30 British Summer Time 28 May 2022

    Mansfield v Port Vale (16:00 BST)

    WembleyImage source, Getty Images

    Hello and welcome to an overcast and slightly chilly Wembley, where Mansfield take on Port Vale in the League Two play-off final, with League One football next season on the line for these two Midlands clubs.

    In just half an hour the action will get under way but between now and then we'll bring you the all-important team news and a little reminder of just how we've got to this point.