Mark Bonner reflected on the “mad story” that led to him becoming a promotion-winning Cambridge head coach.Bonner watched United growing up and worked his way through the ranks before taking charge last March, and a 3-0 victory over Grimsby secured second place in League Two and promotion to the third tier, where they last played in 2002.Liam O’Neil’s volley in the first ...Full Story »

Eberechi Eze earned the praise of his manager Roy Hodgson following an eye-catching display against Sheffield United as Crystal Palace ensured their Premier League survival.The Eagles got the win that mathematically secured their top-flight status as they overcame the already-relegated Blades at Bramall Lane on Saturday.Christian Benteke’s early goal and Eze’s late clincher ensured H...Full Story »

Cheltenham Town manager Michael Duff praised his history makers after seeing his players wrap up the League Two title in style.The Robins had already clinched promotion but a 4-1 win over Harrogate ensured they finished top of the pile.“I said it last week in terms of realising what they’ve achieved and I think it’s starting to sink in now, what they’ve actually done,&rdq...Full Story »

Exeter manager Matt Taylor felt a final day 1-1 draw at home to Barrow was a reflection of their season as they did not do enough to give themselves a chance of making the play-offs.Exeter looked to be on course at half-time after Matt Jay – who swept the board with the player of the year awards post-match – slotted home his 20th goal of the season on 26 minutes.Barrow equalised on 5...Full Story »

Newport manager Michael Flynn heaped praise onto his players after they cemented their place in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs with a 1-1 draw at Southend.Newport will take on Forest Green in a two-legged semi-final and Flynn is delighted to have extended County’s season.“The players deserve all the accolades and they’ve been outstanding this season,” said Flynn.“...Full Story »

Morecambe missed out on automatic promotion by one point despite victory over Bradford at the Mazuma Stadium.The Shrimps did what they had to do to maintain their challenge with a 2-0 victory but wins for Bolton and Cambridge saw them miss out narrowly on a top-three spot.Liam McAlinden went close to giving Morecambe the lead in the 16th minute when he hit the foot of the right post with a left-...Full Story »

Femi Ilesanmi’s first goal of the season saw Boreham Wood claim a narrow 1-0 National League victory over play-off hopefuls Halifax.The defender broke the stalemate after 67 minutes with an eye-catching finish across goalkeeper Sam Johnson.The Shaymen saw their hopes of fightback suffer a major blow when Danny Williams was dismissed for a second caution and they were unable to find an equa...Full Story »

Exeter could not get the win they needed to give themselves a chance of making the League Two play-offs as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Barrow at St James Park.Barrow certainly looked up for the fight, despite having nothing to play for, and almost went on front in 12 minutes when Chris Taylor looped a volley over the head of Jokull Andresson but it drifted just wide of the upright.Exeter ope...Full Story »

Cheltenham secured the League Two title with an emphatic 4-1 victory over visitors Harrogate.The Robins needed to match title rivals Cambridge United’s result but clinched the silverware in style.An early Harrogate goal from Jack Muldoon after just seven minutes spurred them into a dazzling spell starting with Liam Sercombe’s 11th-minute equaliser.Sam Smith’s volley into the ro...Full Story »

Stephen McLaughlin was Mansfield’s two-goal hero as they eased to a 3-0 final-day win at Port Vale.Mansfield deservedly led 2-0 at the break after a dominant showing and should perhaps have been further ahead.McLaughlin drove the opening goal into the bottom corner 10 minutes in and, for most of the half, the hosts were merely hanging on.Jordan Bowery saw a glancing header from McLaughlin&...Full Story »

Wrexham extended their unbeaten National League run to six matches with a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Yeovil to strengthen their place in the play-offs.The hosts bossed the first half with captain Shaun Pearson handing them a ninth-minute lead as he headed in from close range from a corner.Top scorer Luke Young doubled Wrexham’s advantage after 20 minutes when he collected the ball o...Full Story »

Newport cemented their place in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs with a 1-1 draw at already-relegated Southend.Shaun Hobson fired the Shrimpers ahead early on at Roots Hall but a second-half equaliser from Mickey Demetriou secured a fifth-placed finish for Michael Flynn’s side.Southend went in front after just 11 minutes when a left-wing cross from Terrell Egbri was only half cleared and H...Full Story »

Dagenham & Redbridge romped to a sixth straight Vanarama National League win as they swept past struggling Wealdstone 5-0 at Grosvenor Vale.Angelo Balanta fired the Daggers ahead in the second minute and Matt Robinson swiftly added another when he finished off a flowing move.Paul McCallum drilled in a third with a low shot from the edge of the area in the 21st minute and scored again from cl...Full Story »

Sam Barratt scored a hat-trick for 10-man Maidenhead in a 4-2 victory over promotion-chasing Hartlepool.Maidenhead were leading 2-1 – Danilo Orsi-Dadamo and Barratt netting either side of a Rhys Oates equaliser – when Ryheem Sheckleford was sent off for a poor challenge in the 42nd minute.However, the visitors went from strength to strength as Barratt added his second and third goals...Full Story »

Nathan Austin fired a hat-trick as Kelty Hearts set up a play-off with Brechin for a place in the Scottish Professional Football League.Barry Ferguson’s side beat Brora Rangers 4-1 to secure a 6-1 aggregate triumph in the pyramid play-off semi-final.The Fifers will go into their two-legged tie with Brechin full of confidence after a comprehensive win over the Highland League side, who knoc...Full Story »

Brentford boss Thomas Frank was prepared to give Ivan Toney no more than 65 minutes against Bristol City to become the highest scorer ever in a Championship season.With the upcoming play-offs in mind, Frank had no intention of giving his prized marksman a full game at Ashton Gate.But Toney still claimed the record – the most goals in the second tier since it was rebranded as the Championsh...Full Story »

Wayne Rooney revealed how a conversation over breakfast helped inspire Derby to a 3-3 draw with Sheffield Wednesday which secured County’s status in the Sky Bet Championship.Patrick Roberts, the subject of the chat on Saturday morning, scored his first goal since his January loan move from Manchester City as Derby twice fought back to avoid relegation and send Wednesday down.The first half...Full Story »

Daniel Farke felt his title-winning Norwich side finished the season in style after coming from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw at play-off semi-finalists Barnsley.The Canaries won a share of the spoils as Emiliano Buendia and substitute Adam Idah cancelled out Cauley Woodrow and Conor Chaplin efforts.Farke also admitted that it was a bruising end to the Sky Bet Championship season with midfie...Full Story »

Reading manager Veljko Paunovic hailed the “huge improvement” in his side – compared to recent seasons – as they secured a seventh-place finish in the Championship with a 2-2 home draw against Huddersfield.Town went in front through Josh Koroma but Reading were ahead by half time thanks to goals from Michael Olise, with a penalty, and Yakou Meite.Although Reading dominate...Full Story »

Marcelo Bielsa hailed Leeds’ display in their 3-1 win against Tottenham at Elland Road as one of their best of the season.Stuart Dallas gave Leeds an early lead and, although Son Heung-min equalised, Patrick Bamford restored the home side’s advantage before half-time and substitute Rodrigo slammed home a late third.It was another impressive performance by Bielsa’s side against ...Full Story »