League One and Two round-up:Dubliner Cliff Byrne played a captain's role for Scunthorpe as they dramatically clinched a Coca-Cola League One play-off place, while Crewe and Northampton were relegated after defeats today.
Tranmere knew only a win against Scunthorpe at Glanford Park would see them leapfrog their rivals into sixth and they looked set to achieve the desired result thanks to Craig Curran’s 39th-minute goal.
But former Republic of Ireland Under-21 defender Byrne popped up to head in the equaliser two minutes from time after Gareth Edds had been sent off.
Scunthorpe will face Milton Keynes Dons in the play-off semi-finals, the Dons beating already-relegated Hereford 1-0 today thanks to Luke Howell (85), while Leeds meet Millwall in the other two-legged clash.
United condemned Northampton to relegation by beating the Cobblers 3-0 at Elland Road, Luciano Becchio (44), the prolific Jermaine Beckford (59) and Robert Snodgrass (90) netting.
Crewe always looked unlikely to escape the drop with champions Leicester their final-day opponents, and the Foxes ended the season in style with a 3-0 win.
Bruno Berner (56), Lloyd Dyer (66) and Matty Fryatt (68) hammered the nails into Crewe’s coffin, although as it turned out even a win would not have been enough to keep them up.
Carlisle were the big winners on the day as brilliant goals from former Republic of Ireland midfielder Graham Kavanagh (7) and Paul Thirlwell (50) ensured United, who started the match in the bottom three, beat Millwall 2-0.
Brighton guaranteed their safety with a 1-0 win over Stockport, veteran Nicky Forster netting the only goal 17 minutes from time, while Hartlepool also escaped despite a 4-1 defeat by Bristol Rovers.
Jo Kuffour (3) and Darryl Duffy (5) set Pools’ nerves jangling, and Rickie Lambert (46) and Aaron Lescott (48) repeated the trick at the start of the second half after Daniel Nardiello had pulled one back (28).
Peterborough, who secured their promotion last week, finished the season with a 2-2 draw at home to Swindon.
The prolific Simon Cox (17, 42) netted both Town goals but Craig Mackail-Smith (40) and Dean Keates (90) twice equalised for Posh.
Wycombe and Exeter were promoted from League Two as Bury were forced to settle for a place in the play-offs in a dramatic finale.
Wanderers needed only a point at home to Notts County to guarantee a top-three finish but they slumped to a 2-1 defeat.
John Thompson put County ahead (30) and then scored the winner in the 90th minute after captain David McCracken (52) had equalised for Wycombe.
Richard Logan’s 71st-minute goal gave Exeter a 1-0 win at Rotherham to ensure they clinched second place. It could have been better for the Grecians but Stuart Fleetwood missed a penalty after Dale Tonge was sent off.
Bury knew only a win would give them any chance of automatic promotion and they snatched the three points in injury time thanks to Phil Jevons’ penalty after Andy Procter was sent off. Peter Cavanagh had earlier missed a spot-kick for Stanley.
That 1-0 victory put the Shakers on the same points as Wycombe but they missed out by one goal courtesy of the Chairboys’ better goal difference.
Shrewsbury clinched the final play-off place with a 2-1 victory at Dagenham and Redbridge to leapfrog their opponents into seventh.
Grant Holt (19) and Chris Humphrey (33) put the Shrews two up, Paul Benson pulled one back eight minutes into the second half but they could not force the draw they needed.
Chester’s relegation was confirmed by their 2-1 defeat against Darlington. Pawel Abbott (71, 90) scored twice for the Quakers either side of an own goal from Ian Miller (89).
Gillingham will have the edge going into their play-off semi-final against Rochdale after Curtis Weston’s 20th-minute goal gave them a 1-0 win at Spotland today.
Champions Brentford also finished the season in style, beating relegated Luton 2-0 thanks to late goals from Karleigh Osbourne (73) and Adam Newton (90).
Bournemouth were the biggest winners of the day, celebrating their survival despite a 17-point deduction with a 4-0 victory at Morecambe.
Joel Ward (7), Liam Feeney (36) and Brett Pitman (43) put the Cherries three up at half-time and Pitman netted the fourth in the 69th minute.
Ups & Downs
Coca-Cola Championship
Champions:Wolves
Relegated:Charlton, Southampton
League One
Champions:Leicester
Promoted:Peterborough
Relegated:Hereford, Cheltenham, Crewe, Northampton
League Two
Champions:Brentford
Promoted:Exeter, Wycombe
Relegated:Luton, Chester
Blue Square Premier
Promoted:Burton
Play-Off Dates
League One Play-Offs - First Leg, Friday May 8th:Scunthorpe v MK Dons (19:45);
Saturday May 9th:Millwall v Leeds (12:45).
Second Leg, Thursday May 14th:Leeds v Millwall (19:45);
Friday May 15th:MK Dons v Scunthorpe (19:45).
League Two - First Leg, Thursday May 7th:Shrewsbury v Bury (19:45); Rochdale v Gillingham (19:45). Second Leg - Sunday May 10th:Bury v Shrewsbury (12:00); Gillingham v Rochdale (18:30)
