Darren Moore could not hide his pride at steering Port Vale back into League One following a 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.
Two second-half goals from Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Headley sealed an immediate return to the third tier for the Vale Park outfit.
As players and fans alike celebrated in the away end, Moore reflected on the achievement – and admitted his focus in this match was on gaining promotion rather than doing it on home turf in their final game against Gillingham.
He said: “Today was a case of getting the promotion sealed, and that’s what we secured. Next week we’ll see our fans and it will be a packed house at Vale Park.
“I’m really pleased for everyone connected with the club, I was pleased with the performance as much as anything.
“We know that to come here, it’s not an easy place to come to. They haven’t given much away here all season.
“But the manner we took the game to them was really pleasing, and I’m so proud of the players.
“We had moments in the game, and credit to the players after the disallowed goal for regaining their focus.
“The header from Jayden was textbook, and the second goal from Jaheim is a fantastic well-worked goal.”
After a tight first half, the visitors went up a gear in a way that Wimbledon struggled to handle.
Two goals in three minutes effectively sealed the outcome, with Vale taking the lead in the 64th minute when Hedley’s free-kick was flicked on by Stockley past the outstretched arm of Owen Goodman.
Then, three minutes later, George Byers found Hedley who fired his effort past the home keeper.
Wimbledon saw manager Johnnie Jackson sent off following Vale’s second goal, after the home side felt a head injury for Riley Harbottle in the build-up was ignored by referee Declan Bourne.
It was another disappointing afternoon for Wimbledon, who looked impotent up front and unlikely to claw their way back into the contest as they say their own promotion hopes take a hit.
Assistant manager Terry Skiverton felt the second Vale goal should have been disallowed, but admits his side lost momentum.
He said: “In the second half there was a couple of mind-boggling decisions that cost us.
“Harbottle gets a head injury and he’s down for 20 seconds, we alert the fourth official and he says it seems like he’s tried to get up.
“Our lad is down for five minutes after Port Vale score, then seven minutes later one of their players gets a head injury the referee blew up.
“At two goals down it’s really hard for us to get back into the game, the momentum of the game had changed – Port Vale knew how to see the game out.
“It’s tough to take, especially when you see the other team getting promoted and celebrating in front of our fans.”
