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Accrington Stanley promoted to League One for first time after win over Yeovil

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Highlights of the Sky Bet League Two match between Accrington and Yeovil

Accrington Stanley have been promoted to the third tier of English football for the first time after they beat Yeovil 2-0 on Tuesday night.

Stanley forward Billy Kee - named Sky Bet League Two Player of the Year this week - scored twice in the space of three first-half minutes to settle the nerves of the home fans at the Wham Stadium.

Accrington Stanley secured promotion to League One after 2-0 win over Yeovil
Image: Billy Kee scored twice as Accrington Stanley secured promotion

John Coleman's side had a goal disallowed after the break, with Jimmy Dunne adjudged to be offside after he reacted quickest to fire the ball over the line after Sean McConville's shot had come back off the crossbar.

Kee also missed out on the chance of securing a hat-trick but the misses made no difference, with Accrington comfortably holding on for the victory that means they are promoted with four games of their season to go.

The club only returned to the Football League in 2006 - with Oxford United dropping down to the Conference - 44 years after the same club had replaced them in the fourth-tier after Accrington were forced to resign their league membership.

"It's been a tough season," said Coleman. "We lost one of our apprentices Jordan Moseley, one of our former directors John Demaine died last week and we wouldn't be where we are now without him. And it's my late dad's 91st birthday and you would like to think he played a part.

"You can't help but get emotional but it's all about the players. They were fantastic against Yeovil, it was 2-0 but it could have been 16-0 as we really turned on the style in the second half. The fans have come out in their numbers and I am delighted for them as well.

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"The whole team, and staff, have worked so hard and we have got our rewards. We will give it a good go in League One, it is a massive achievement. It's absolutely fantastic."

Exeter kept their automatic promotion hopes alive with a 2-1 win at home to bottom side Chesterfield, a result that leaves the Spireites a step closer to relegation to Conference National.

The Grecians made the breakthrough in the 39th minute when Jayden Stockley headed in Jake Taylor's cross from six yards.

Exeter's second goal was a scrappy affair, with Chesterfield's Alex Whitmore scoring in his own net from Hiram Boateng's cross.

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Highlights of the Sky Bet League Two match between Exeter and Chesterfield

The Spireites set up a nervy finish by pulling a goal back when Andy Kellett volleyed home Joe Rowley's delivery from the right with seven minutes remaining but Exeter held their nerve to see the game out.

Paul Tisdale's side are now two points behind third-placed Wycombe, after they drew 0-0 away to Lincoln.

Matt Rhead had a goal disallowed in time added on at the end of the first half when the Imps striker was adjudged to have fouled his marker before he headed home.

Lincoln goalkeeper Ryan Allsop then produced a great save to turn away Michael Harriman's deflected shot.

The point leaves them sixth in the table, one point above eighth-placed Mansfield but with a game in hand on their promotion rivals.

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