League One: Paul Cook's Wigan reach the Championship

Wigan boss Paul Cook celebrates promotion. Picture: PAWigan boss Paul Cook celebrates promotion. Picture: PA
Wigan boss Paul Cook celebrates promotion. Picture: PA
Leaders Wigan secured promotion back from League One to the Championship with a 4-0 win at Fleetwood.

Third-placed Shrewsbury could only manage a 1-1 draw at home against relegated Bury, to all but end their hopes of finishing in the top two.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Latics went in front in the 33rd minute through midfielder Max Power, before Gavin Massey fired in a fine individual effort in the 37th.

Defender Dan Burn made it 3-0 with a low finish in the 57th minute, with Cheyenne Dunkley adding a fourth from close range as Paul Cook’s side delivered promotion in style.

Former Pompey boss Cook said: ‘We’re the first team to be promoted and we got to the quarter-final of the FA Cup.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘I wish Blackburn and Shrewsbury, with a special mention to them, well.

‘We’re very grounded as a staff. It’s a long journey in football and it is a great day.

‘The record speaks for itself; clean sheets, goals, wins and the best teams in the league finish at the top.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘I’m so proud of the players. I’m going to enjoy it and it’s great when you’ve managed or played for a club and you lead them to promotion, you’ll always have a place in their heart.’

Things had looked good for the Shrews when midfielder Abobaker Eisa put them in front in the 13th minute.

Bury, though, were back on level terms though Jay O’Shea’s strike just after the hour.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fourth-placed Rotherham secured their play-off spot with a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers at the New York Stadium.

Michael Smith put the hosts ahead after nine minutes, with substitute Caolan Lavery adding a second just before full-time.

Scunthorpe saw off Walsall 1-0 to move three points clear of seventh, a diving header from midfielder Ryan Yates breaking the deadlock on 76 minutes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At the other end of the table, Northampton boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 win over Plymouth, whose own play-off ambitions suffered a setback.

John-Joe O’Toole gave the Cobblers the lead in the 42nd minute, before Zak Vyner’s own goal just after the hour mark was enough to push them within two points of safety.

Charlie Wyke’s goal in stoppage time gave Bradford a 1-1 draw at Rochdale, who remained in the bottom four.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Midfielder Matty Done had put Dale ahead four minutes before half-time.

Duckens Nazon scored twice as Oldham battled to a 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon, leaving them just a point above the dropzone.

Defender Jon Meades put the hosts ahead in the 10th minute following a corner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Oldham equalised five minutes into the second half when Nazon stabbed the ball in at the back post following a long throw.

The Dons were soon back in front through Joe Pigott, only for Nazon to level things up again with 16 minutes left.

MK Dons remain deep in trouble after going down 4-0 at Southend, where Theo Robinson scored a hat-trick.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Shrimpers were in front in the 23rd minute when Robinson scored from close range before adding a second into the top corner on the half-hour.

Stephen McLaughlin made it 3-0 on the hour, with Robinson securing the match-ball after slotting in from a corner with 14 minutes left.

Elsewhere, Oxford won 1-0 at Doncaster with a header from substitute James Henry proving decisive.

Blackpool ran out 3-0 winners at Gillingham.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kyle Vassell broke the deadlock in the 28th minute with his 11th goal of the season after Jimmy Ryan’s effort had been saved.

The striker then set up Nathan Delfouneso to make it 2-0 just five minutes later.

Blackpool saw a penalty from Jay Spearing tipped onto the post early in the second half, before Kelvin Mellor did add a third with seven minutes left.

News you can trust since 1877
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice