Emotional Clarke sees Port Vale promoted

MANSFIELD.......................0 PORT VALE........................3

GOALS by Kian Harratt, James Wilson and Mal Benning helped Port Vale beat Mansfield in the Sky Bet League Two play-off final to ensure an emotional Darrell Clarke ended a difficult season on a high.

Clarke spent six weeks on compassionate leave following the loss of a close family member in February, but his phased return helped Vale into the play-offs and they are now back in the third tier for the first time since 2017.

First-half headers by Harratt and Wilson put the Stoke club in control before former Stags ace Benning added the cherry on the cake with five minutes left to thump Nigel Clough’s 10 men, who had Oli Hawkins sent off in the 36th minute.

The two clubs endured rollercoaster seasons, with Mansfield going on a 12-game winless run early into the campaign while Vale won only one of their opening eight games before both outfits clicked ahead of the winter period.

Port Vale made the breakthrough in the 20th minute. Harratt had been thwarted by the inside of the posts seconds earlier with half the stadium on their feet and he soon ensured the celebrations could begin.

Benning got away down the left and crossed in for the Huddersfield loanee, who stooped low and headed home to spark jubilant scenes in the Vale end.

Four minutes later and Clarke’s side were in dreamland. This time it was David Worrall crossing in from the opposite flank and although Ben Garrity’s header hit the crossbar, Wilson was on hand to nod in and make it 2-0.

Nathan Bishop stopped the advantage becoming three when he saved from Benning but Mansfield and Clough’s day soon went from bad to worse.

Hawkins, who had been booked for a needless push on Nathan Smith, went charging into Wilson by the halfway line and caught the Vale forward late. It left referee Jarred Gillett with no choice but to show a second yellow and subsequently a red card.

Vale remained focused after half-time and only the offside flag denied Clarke’s men a third in front of 37,303 spectators at Wembley.

Fittingly it was Benning who had the last word against his former club with a volley from Worrall’s centre to ensure a tearful Clarke could enjoy the final few minutes.