Tranmere 0-1 Northampton: Sam Hoskins stunner sees Cobblers promoted to League One

A stunning first-half goal from Sam Hoskins fired Northampton back into League One as they beat Tranmere 1-0 on the final day of the regular League Two season.

The Cobblers captain struck inside five minutes, volleying a wonderful effort past Tranmere goalkeeper Mateusz Hewelt.

Their return to England's third tier was confirmed before the game was over courtesy of Stockport's 1-1 draw with Hartlepool.

Tranmere did not make life easy for their opponents - especially in the second half - but were unable to find an equaliser.

Northampton will join Leyton Orient and Stevenage in League One for the 2023/24 season.

How Northampton sealed their place in League One...

Hoskins volleyed home from the edge of the box after just five minutes as Tranmere failed to clear the ball following a corner, with the 2,000 travelling Town fans celebrating wildly at the other end.

It was not all one-way traffic, however, with Kane Hemmings and Lee O'Connor forcing Town goalkeeper Lee Burge into action as they pressed for an equaliser before half-time.

After the break, Rovers continued to pile the pressure on the visitors' goal with substitute Jay Turner-Cooke and Sam Taylor coming close as Tranmere made it clear they were not prepared to roll over for their promotion-chasing opponents.

At the other end Northampton went in search of a second goal which would have made the game and promotion safe, with Shaun McWilliams and Louis Appere both having efforts blocked.

But Hoskins' early strike proved to be enough for Jon Brady's side as Northampton return to the third tier of English football having been relegated in 2021.

Brady hails 'unbelievable achievement'

Brady dedicated Northampton's League Two promotion to the supporters following the battling win at Tranmere.

"It's just incredible," he said. "It's been very, very hard to get to this position but it's an incredible story really.

"Considering what's happened in the time I've been here, especially what happened last year when Scunthorpe fielded a youth team [against Bristol Rovers] and it wasn't right, we had to grit our teeth and go again.

"This kind of thing doesn't usually happen to us and we were pushed right to the very end, it would certainly be a good book to write.

"I'm pleased for everyone in the town, I'm pleased for our chairman, all the staff, the players and the fans ultimately.

"They've been through a bit of torture at times and against all odds with only really half a team out we've done it and it is an unbelievable achievement.

"The fans at our end took the roof off, they roared the boys home until the end. I'm just glad we could get over the line for them."