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Mansfield 0-3 Port Vale: Valiants silence Stags to reach League One
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Sean Wilson
LiveScore
James Wilson scored Port Vale's second goal against Mansfield
James Wilson scored Port Vale's second goal against Mansfield

Port Vale clinched promotion to League One by hammering 10-man Mansfield 3-0 in the League Two play-off final at Wembley.

Kian Harratt opened the scoring for the Valiants in the 20th minute with a superb stooping header following a deflected cross from the left. 

Four minutes later, James Wilson reacted quickest as the ball ricocheted off the bar to nod in his side's crucial second. 

Things went from bad to worse for the Stags when Oliver Hawkins was dismissed for two bookable offences within five minutes of each other, leaving Mansfield with a mountain to climb before the break. 

Malvind Benning sealed the result late on, stretching to steer David Worrall's cross into the bottom corner.

Goalscorer Harratt, 19, said: "I'm buzzing for the lads, it's what we deserved. 

"The cross took a deflection so I had to check back but luckily I got there. On another day I could have had a hat-trick but I'll settle for one.

"I just go into each game as it comes. I try my best to score every game."

Benning, 28, added: "The main thing is we got the win. I'm happy to get the third goal and kill the game off.

"I talked earlier this week about Asians in football and I don't care it's me, it's not about me, but it's a massive step today. 

"I saw it go into the back of the net and I just thought, 'I've scored at Wembley'. 

"The gaffer has come back and we've rallied around him and he's rallied around us."

Vale boss Darrell Clarke dedicated the victory to to eldest daughter Ellie, who died earlier this year. 

Clarke, 44, took a leave of absence in February following the 18-year-old's death before a six-week phased return. 

He said: "It means everything to me but I want to dedicate that to my daughter that I lost, Ellie Clarke. She was up there, helping us out. 

"So proud of her, so proud of my family. And as for this [promotion], it’s amazing. I love those lads, I love my staff, it’s a fitting end but I would like to dedicate it to Ellie and a special mention to my wife. 

"I've worked so hard over the last few days certainly to control those emotions but then they all came out when it was nearly the end and we were in a great position. 

"It's special. Special for my eldest daughter, special for my family that have gone through tough times — that's no different to other families so I certainly don't want sympathy. 

"It was massive. I think she was up there kicking every ball for me today. I dedicate that to my daughter."

Tags

League TwoMansfieldPort Vale
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