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Full Time After Extra Time This is a live match. Extra Time Half Time

Cambridge United vs Grimsby Town. Sky Bet League Two.

The Abbey Stadium.

Cambridge United 3

  • L O'Neil (25th minute)
  • W Hoolahan (57th minute)
  • P Mullin (80th minute)

Grimsby Town 0

    Cambridge 3-0 Grimsby: Mark Bonner's U's secure automatic promotion to Sky Bet League One

    Report as Cambridge achieve automatic promotion to Sky Bet League One after a 3-0 against Grimsby at the Abbey Stadium; Mark Bonner's men will play in the third tier for the first time since the 2001/02 campaign

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    Highlights of the Sky Bet League Two match between Cambridge United and Grimsby Town

    Cambridge have been promoted to Sky Bet League One after a 3-0 win against Grimsby.

    Mark Bonner's men - who had passed up two chances to achieve automatic promotion in the last fortnight - knew that a win would ensure they go up, but also that a victory and Cheltenham failing to beat Harrogate would see them lift the trophy.

    Leaders Cheltenham didn't slip up as they clinched the title, but Cambridge came second as goals from Liam O'Neil, Wes Hoolahan and Paul Mullin saw them beat relegated Grimsby.

    As a result, the U's will play in the third tier for the first time since they were relegated from Division Two in 2002.

    After a nervous start to the game, O'Neil struck the key opener after 25 minutes.

    Luke Hannant's free-kick from the left was nodded back across goal by Joe Ironside to O'Neil, who powered home a volley from just outside the six-yard box.

    Just before the hour mark Hoolahan, 12 days before his 39th birthday, took a free-kick from wide on the right flank which evaded everybody and found its way into the far corner.

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    Mullin capped the scoring with a free-kick 10 minutes from the end, netting his 32rd league goal of the campaign to break the record for most goals in a season since the division was rebranded League Two in 2004.

    Cambridge boss Bonner: It's a 'mad story'

    "It's massive," said Cambridge boss Mark Bonner regarding their promotion. "We are competing well above where we were expected to be, where our resources have been this season.

    "We've got really talented players, a couple of individuals who have done exceptionally for us. The unity and togetherness of the side's been outstanding.

    "Any team that gets promoted deserves huge recognition for that because it's so hard and so demanding. This group, this year especially, they've done it and they've bounced back brilliantly all the time. I'm absolutely thrilled for them and I hope they have a great few days.

    "It's been edgy and nerve-wracking but the boys held their nerve. We ended up getting a nice result and the day became fairly comfortable in the end which was important for us.

    "It's moments like this you think that 16 years ago we got relegated from the Football League. We've come a long way since then. I was a season-ticket holder 22 years ago watching us play Brentford on the last day of the season and whoever won won the league to get back into League One. That's the last time we were there.

    "So to now be on the touchline and taking that team is a bit of a mad story. I don't allow myself to think about it too much, you've just got to enjoy those moments as much as you can."

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