In this article, we look at how the League One table stands as the final day plays out with still plenty at stake on Saturday afternoon.
Derby County knew they needed just one point to secure automatic promotion from League One on the final day of the season at home to Carlisle United.
Third place Bolton knew they will need a win away at Peterborough United, plus a Derby defeat, coupled with a swing in goal difference of at least four goals to snatch second place.
Barnsley, Lincoln City, Oxford United and Blackpool battled it out for the final two playoff places on the last day of the season.
If Cheltenham Town failed to beat Stevenage on the final day, they would be be relegated. A win for Burton Albion and a point for Cambridge United would guarantee both League One safety.
So how did it play out?
GOAL: Peterborough 0-1 Bolton
Kyle Dempsey (4 mins)
GOAL: Reading 0-1 Blackpool
Karamoko Dembele (4 mins)
GOAL: Derby 1-0 Carlisle
Max Bird (5 mins)
GOAL: Peterborough 0-2 Bolton
Dion Charles (8 mins pen)
Ed Dawes (BBC Radio Derby commentator): “Max Bird has come through the academy at Derby. I remember his debut. He has certainly come on to be a player that Derby can be so proud of.”
Clinton Morrison on Soccer Saturday: “Derby have started ever so well and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has just struck a shot wide. Carlisle have got their work cut out.”
Derby are on their way… even though Bolton already lead.
And Blackpool are snatching a play-off place right now.
Andrew Aloia (BBC Sport at Pride Park) “Max Bird has just about everyone at Pride Park off their seats in euphoric celebrations. It’s a sublime finish from the midfielder, whose mission has been to get Derby promoted after he was loaned back to the Rams after signing for Bristol City in January. Roars of ‘we are going up’ are ringing out out loud and proud here right now.”
GOAL: Exeter 0-1 Oxford
Mark Harris (12 mins)
Now Oxford move into the play-off places!
Ed Dawes (BBC Radio Derby commentator): “Bolton are 2-0 up and are doing their job, but it doesn’t matter because Derby are doing theirs. There is an inflatable killer whale and an inflatable sheep dancing away to our right. And a beach ball!”
WHAT A START!
Max Bird with a sensational strike to give Derby the lead 🚀 pic.twitter.com/gx6C1e14aH
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 27, 2024
GOAL: Fleetwood 1-0 Burton
(17 mins, Carl Johnston)
It leaves them vulnerable to Cheltenham… but they still need a goal at Stevenage.
GOAL: Barnsley 1-0 Northampton
(Herbie Kane (18 mins)
Barnsley were knocking on the door at Oakwell and now lead with just under 20 minutes gone! Herbie Kane’s goal has them finishing fifth at the moment.
DISALLOWED GOAL
Lincoln 0-0 Portsmouth
Pompey thought they were ahead, Tino Arnjorin hit home from the edge of the box after Imps keeper Lukas Jensen punched a low cross away before colliding with an attacker. Jensen laid on the floor as the ball went in and the referee stopped play before it hit the net.
Reading should have been level against Blackpool. Viljami Sinisalo made a superb one-handed save to stop Moore’s header which was on it’s way for the top corner.
Oxford nearly went 2-0 up at Exeter, Brannagan saw his free-kick find Brown at the back stick, but Sinisalo held his volley well.
GOAL: Fleetwood 2-0 Burton
Phoenix Patterson (31 mins)
GOAL DISALLOWED – Derby 1-0 Carlisle
Derby had the ball in the net but the flag goes up after Louie Sibley’s shot was blocked and fell to Ebou Adams who sent an overhead kick into the net, only to be marginally offside.
GOAL: Exeter 0-2 Oxford
Cameron Brannigan (40 mins pen)
Cameron Brannigan stepped up and netted his spot-kick inside the left-hand post. At this point, Oxford in the play-off places alongside Barnsley. Blackpool and Lincoln are waiting in the wings.
GOAL: Stevenage 1-0 Cheltenham
Kane Hemmings (pen 45+1 min)
GOAL: Reading 1-1 Blackpool
Sam Smith (45+1 mins)
STATE OF PLAY AT HALF TIME:
Derby going up… Bolton in the play-offs. Barnsley and Oxford also be making it, Lincoln and Blackpool are missing out. Cheltenham going down.
HT Barnsley 1-0 Northampton Town
HT Derby County 1-0 Carlisle United
HT Exeter City 0-2 Oxford United
HT Fleetwood Town 2-0 Burton Albion
HT Lincoln City 0-0 Portsmouth
HT Peterborough United 0-2 Bolton Wanderers
HT Port Vale 0-0 Cambridge United
HT Reading 1-1 Blackpool
HT Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Leyton Orient
HT Stevenage 1-0 Cheltenham Town
HT Wigan Athletic 1-0 Bristol Rovers
HT Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Charlton Athletic
GOAL: Peterborough 1-2 Bolton
Malik Mothersille (50 mins)
MISSED PENALTY
Lincoln 0-0 Portsmouth
Will Norris saved a penalty from Lincoln’s Michael Mandroiu, who slipped upon hitting the ball. Oxford fans rejoice but left nervous.
GOAL: Exeter 1-2 Oxford
Millenic Alli (52 mins)
Some hope for Lincoln fans. Oxford still in the play-off spots, but should they concede again, the Imps will go back above them.
GOAL: Stevenage 1-1 Cheltenham
Taylor (53 mins)
GOAL: Derby 2-0 Carlisle
James Collins (59 mins)
Party atmosphere returns, Pride Park in full voice and bouncing
"The gates to the Championship are OPENING UP"
Derby are one step closer to promotion 📈 pic.twitter.com/PmT1duGBlx
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 27, 2024
Andrew Aloia (BBC Sport at Pride Park): “James Collins has now scored 19 goals for Derby this season, but none have been celebrated like that. It is a composed half-volley from the 33-year-old forward – trademark stuff from the experienced goal-machine. Is this now job done? There is less than 30 minutes remaining, but the party has well and truly started.”
GOAL: Peterborough 2-2 Bolton
Joel Randall (67 mins)
Ed Dawes (BBC Radio Derby commentator): “Derby County are enjoying themselves after that second goal. There are chants of ‘Nottingham Forest, we are coming to you’. Will that be next season, or the one after? Every song in the Derby County repertoire is being sung today.”
GOAL: Reading 2-1 Blackpool
Harvey Knibbs (68 mins)
HITS THE WOODWORK
Exeter 1-2 Oxford Utd
Milli Ali’s cross then takes a deflection off the post via an Oxford defender.
GOAL: Reading 3-1 Blackpool
Femi Azeez (71 mins)
WHAT A SAVE! (73 mins)
Lincoln 0-0 Portsmouth
Sparkes controlled a cross at the back post, cut inside and was denied brilliantly by Lincoln keeper Lukas Jensen who pushed the shot over the crossbar.
76′ | WHAT A SAVE (76 mins)
Lincoln 0-0 Portsmouth
Will Norris was fouled before House sent in a cross, but the keeper just about recovers and tipped the ball over the bar. Pompey somehow not in front.
GOAL: Peterborough 3-2 Bolton
Malik Mothersille (73 mins)
GOAL: Fleetwood 3-0 Burton
Coughlan (76 mins)
GOAL: Peterborough 3-3 Bolton
Cameron Jerome (82 mins)
GOAL: Lincoln 0-1 Portsmouth
Myles Peart-Harris (81 mins)
Oxford fans can relax a little.
GOAL: Stevenage 2-1 Cheltenham
Nick Freeman (90 mins)
GOAL: Reading 3-2 Blackpool
Jordan Gabriel (90+2 mins)
DERBY PROMOTED TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Derby 2-0 Carlisle
It always looked the outcome most likely and Derby did their job with a goal in each half against rock-bottom Carlisle, though the latter made it hard for the hosts.
GOAL: Barnsley 1-1 Northampton
Appere (96 mins)
It shouldn’t change anything for Barnsley as Lincoln and Blackpool are losing, but this was not in the script.
Stevenage 2-1 Cheltenham
Cheltenham battled as well as they could but fall to defeat and are relegated from League One.
GOAL: Lincoln 0-2 Portsmouth
Paddy Lane (90+12 mins)
FT Barnsley (1) 1-1 (0) Northampton Town
FT Derby County (1) 2-0 (0) Carlisle United
FT Exeter City (0) 1-2 (2) Oxford United
FT Fleetwood Town (2) 3-0 (0) Burton Albion
FT Lincoln City (0) 0-2 (0) Portsmouth
FT Peterborough United (0) 3-3 (2) Bolton Wanderers
FT Port Vale (0) 0-0 (0) Cambridge United
FT Reading (1) 3-2 (1) Blackpool
FT Shrewsbury Town (0) 1-3 (2) Leyton Orient
FT Stevenage (1) 2-1 (0) Cheltenham Town
FT Wigan Athletic (1) 2-0 (0) Bristol Rovers
FT Wycombe Wanderers (1) 1-0 (0) Charlton Athletic
Promoted: Portsmouth (C), Derby
Play-offs: Bolton, Peterborough, Oxford, Barnsley
Relegated: Cheltenham, Fleetwood, Port Vale, Carlisle
PLAYOFFS
Semi-final first legs
Barnsley vs Bolton (7.30pm) – Friday May 3
Oxford vs Peterborough – (7.45pm) – Saturday May 4
Semi-final second legs
Bolton vs Barnsley (8pm) – Tuesday May 7
Peterborough vs Oxford (8pm) – Wednesday May 8
Final
Saturday May 18 (5.30pm)
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