Summary

  • Sunderland leapfrog Millwall to claim final Championship play-off spot

  • Lions beaten 4-3 by Blackburn after leading 3-1

  • Coventry seal top-six place with draw at Middlesbrough

  • Burnley & Sheff Utd promoted; Reading, Blackpool & Wigan relegated

  • Northampton win at Tranmere to clinch promotion to League One; Stockport draw with Hartlepool

  • Stockport, Carlisle, Bradford and Salford into League Two play-offs

  • Leyton Orient & Stevenage already promoted; Hartlepool & Rochdale relegated

  1. goal

    GOAL: Grimsby 1-0 AFC Wimbledonpublished at 12:42 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Isaac Ogundere own-goal (7 mins)

    It's an own goal but Danilo Orsi will take the credit and Grimsby are a goal up.

    With the ball on the far side, edge of the penalty area, he tried flicking a cross in and it is deflected off the Wimbledon defender Isaac Ogundere and floats into the back of the net.

  2. Postpublished at 12:41 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Sutton 0-0 Carlisle

    There's a proper end-of-season 'pedestrian' feel about Sutton's visit of Carlisle, given the home side are safe and their visitors need just a point for the top seven.

    Alfie McAlmont has put a volley over the bar, and a cross was easily saved by Jack Rose.

  3. Postpublished at 12:41 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Tranmere 0-1 Northampton

    Sam Hoskins volleys Northampton into the leadImage source, Rex Features

    What a goal that was from Sam Hoskins. One of he finest I've seen in the EFL all season.

    The message will no doubt have found its way to Stockport that the Cobblers lead.

    The Hatters MUST win and hope that Northampton don't get it over the line if they are to go automatically today.

    Obviously I'm hoping for more goals but how apt would it be if that stunner from Hoskins does prove to be the goal that clinches Northampton's promotion?

    The 30-year-old has now scored 22 goals this campaign.

  4. Postpublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Bradford 0-0 Leyton Orient

    Bradford are among the teams needing just a point to secure their play-off place.

    Their home game against Leyton Orient is a poignant occasion today, given it is also the club's remembrance of the Bradford fire disaster, in which 56 fans died on 11 May 1985.

    The players came out to 'You'll Never Walk Alone', sung by both sides' fans with gusto, and a perfectly observed minutes silence followed.

    Such an emotional occasion for the club, and the players have responded to that drive. Striker Andy Cook just brushed the crossbar with a header, and Ramoney Critchlow couldn't quite turn home shortly after.

  5. goal

    GOAL: Tranmere 0-1 Northamptonpublished at 12:36 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Sam Hoskins (5 mins)

    Sam Hoskins celebrates giving Northampton the leadImage source, PA Media

    They've come here to win and winning is what they are doing!

    It is an absolute beauty from top scorer Sam Hoskins!

    A corner is cleared to the 22-goal forward on the edge of the area.

    He takes it down on his chest and leathers a volley into the back of the net. WOW.

    Northampton are FIRMLY in control of their promotion destiny now.

  6. 'It's in Northampton's hands'published at 12:36 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Calvin Andrew
    Ex-Rochdale, Mansfield and Port Vale forward on Squad Goals

    I would rather be Northampton today. They are above Stockport. Stockport will go out to get a result but they know if Northampton do what they are supposed to they can't catch them.

    It's Northampton's hands while Stockport are relying on Tranmere doing them a favour.

  7. Postpublished at 12:35 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Salford 0-0 Gillingham

    It's classic L.S Lowry weather in Salford. Rain!

    But there is a fine atmosphere at the sold-out Peninsula Stadium as the Ammies seek to cement their spot in the play-offs for the first time.

  8. Postpublished at 12:35 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Tranmere 0-0 Northampton

    Energetic start to this one.

    A point could be enough for Northampton to go up automatically but they wont want to leave anything to chance. They've come here to win.

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    #bbcefl

    Tom Whelan: Bad last day memories? Forest 1-4 Stoke in 2020. Crashed out of a near certain play-off place, by one goal.

    Yep, remember that one. Sabri Lamouchi was utterly speechless about the result afterwards. Made all the more strange in an empty stadium.

    We're after your favourite and... less favoured final day memories. Keep them coming using #bbcefl on Twitter.

  10. KICK-OFFpublished at 12:30 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    For the final time this regular season we are under way across League Two.

    Who will end the day celebrating promotion? We're about to find out!

    Here we go.

  11. Get involvedpublished at 12:25 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    #bbcefl

    Northampton fan raises his scarf in the standsImage source, Rex Features

    Northampton were about 40 minutes away from promotion this time last season before Bristol Rovers went berserk and scored seven to pip them to the last automatic spot.

    Their fans have made the trip to Tranmere today hoping for different fortunes in 2023, but the very same situation ahead with Stockport hovering behind hoping to snatch it away.

    Today we want your favourite/worst last day memories - we're talking listening to your radio for results elsewhere to seal promotion, the likes of Man City beating Stoke 5-2 in 1998 but still going down, etc etc.

    Tell us what you think today too. The method? Get in touch via #bbcefl

  12. Plymouth champions but misery for MK Dons and Morecambepublished at 12:21 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    League One recap

    PlymouthImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The ecstasy: Plymouth celebrate winning the League One title

    The League One regular season drew to a close yesterday, with issues at the top, in the play-offs and the bottom all needing to be tied up.

    Plymouth secured the title with a 3-1 win at Port Vale, while second-placed Ipswich drew 2-2 at Fleetwood to miss out on also breaking the 100-point barrier.

    There was final day woe for Derby as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday that opened the door for Peterborough to pinch sixth spot by beating Barnsley 2-0.

    At the bottom, Cambridge clambered out of the bottom four with a 2-0 win over relegated Forest Green that sent MK Dons and Morecambe down to League Two.

    MK DonsImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    The agony: MK Dons were relegated to League Two after a goalless draw at Burton. The Dons failed to win any of their final eight matches

  13. Flynn in as Swindon move swiftlypublished at 12:17 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Swindon v Crawley (12:30 BST)

    New Swindon boss Michael FlynnImage source, Rex Features

    If this season has taught us anything it's that the managerial merry-go-round waits for NO man and today is no exception.

    Swindon Town have appointed former Newport County and Walsall boss Michael Flynn as their new manager.

    The 42-year-old will take over after their final game of the League Two season against Crawley on Monday.

    He replaces former Chelsea coach Jody Morris, who was sacked last week after just 18 games in charge.

    Flynn was sacked by the Saddlers at the end of April after a run of one win in 20 matches saw them fall away from play-off contention.

  14. Can Stags crash the play-off party?published at 12:13 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Colchester v Mansfield (12:30 BST)

    Nigel CloughImage source, Rex Features

    The final day permutations for Mansfield are fairly straightforward.

    They MUST beat Colchester and hope that at least one of Bradford, Salford and Carlisle lose to stand any chance of making the play-offs.

    The Stags have dropped off at just the wrong time, as home defeats against Harrogate and Leyton Orient have left them needing snookers.

    "It's effectively season over barring a miracle, but we'll go down there [to Colchester] and have a go," boss Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

    "We have scored goals on the road, we got four at Swindon and Carlisle. We'll try and score some next week and you never know, anything can happen."

    Bradford host champions Leyton Orient, Salford welcome Gillingham and Carlisle visit Sutton United.

    It looks unlikely for Mansfield but stranger things have happened...

  15. Cobblers wobblers? Or Cobblers complete?published at 12:10 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    Tranmere v Northampton, Stockport v Hartlepool (12:30 BST)

    Max Dyche of Northampton, Myles Hippolyte and Antoni Sarcevic of StockportImage source, PA Media/Getty Images

    The wounds will scarcely have healed from last season's heartbreak, and now Northampton Town have to go through it all again.

    Who would have predicted it? Twelve months on from being pipped to automatic promotion on goal difference - despite winning their own game - because of a five-goal swing after Bristol Rovers won 7-0 against Scunthorpe... the Cobblers are back with a big slice of deja vu.

    They travel to Tranmere on 80 points with inferior goal difference, while their only rivals for the final automatic spot in League Two - Stockport on 78 points - are at home to already-relegated Hartlepool.

    Town boss Jon Brady has already said last year is history, and that his team have to focus on here and now. Hatters manager Dave Challinor has the added spice of facing the club he left to take up this role, and is gunning for back-to-back promotions with the club.

    This is a final day shoot-out to really keep your focus on.

  16. Still much to be settledpublished at 12:07 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    #bbcefl

    League Two table

    Here we are then. This is where we stand in League Two in terms of what is to be decided.

    Champions Leyton Orient are good to relax. Their job is done. Likewise, Stevenage.

    Rochdale and Hartlepool are already relegated and their spell in the EFL is over for now once today's games are out of the way.

    One automatic promotion place, and the play-off picture are still yet to be full focused.

  17. League Two fixturespublished at 12:04 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    All games kick off at 12:30 BST

    • Barrow v Stevenage
    • Bradford City v Leyton Orient
    • Colchester United v Mansfield Town
    • Grimsby Town v AFC Wimbledon
    • Harrogate Town v Rochdale
    • Newport County v Crewe Alexandra
    • Salford City v Gillingham
    • Stockport County v Hartlepool United
    • Sutton United v Carlisle United
    • Swindon Town v Crawley Town
    • Tranmere Rovers v Northampton Town
    • Walsall v Doncaster Rovers
  18. Postpublished at 12:01 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    #bbcefl

    The 'marathon' that is the League Two season is to finish today, likewise the Championship a little later too.

    Forget 26.2 miles. This 46 games, spread out across the country. Long-haul bus trips, late finishes. Saturday-Tuesday. Grafting.

    In this ultimate test of footballing endurance, certainly not everyone gets a medal, but everyone goes through the pain barrier.

    Some teams are still in the hunt for success. You won't find cartoonish fun runners in this race for a prize.

    The home straight is in sight, but there is every chance of tears for some, despite finishing the course.

    Welcome to the final day of the League Two and Championship campaigns. It's going to be emotional.

    Stockport fansImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    It might have been raining when these Stockport fans arrived at the ground this morning but will the sun be shining on their promotion hopes come full time?

  19. A marathon, but not as we know itpublished at 12:00 British Summer Time 8 May 2023

    #bbcefl

    All marathons are a test of character, mettle, nerve and stamina.

    They require intense training, dedication, commitment, sacrifice.

    The full gamut of emotions are experienced along its demanding route, exhilaration, fatigue, pain.

    At the end, you get a medal, chance to put your feet up, praise and respect, and all is well. Right?

    Not this marathon...