Second-half goals from Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Headley earned Darren Moore's Port Vale a 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon and an instant return to Sky Bet League One, securing promotion with one game to spare!
After a tense first period, Vale came out firing after the break, taking the lead through Stockley's superb header - minutes after the offside flag had denied him - and quickly followed it up with a well-taken finish from Headley on 67 minutes.
The result leaves the Valiants a point behind Doncaster Rovers, who won against Bradford City in the other early kick-off, with the title still up for grabs on the final day.
Ahead of the game, Darren Moore made two changes to the side that secured a point against Grimsby Town in dramatic fashion last time out, with Headley and Rhys Walters coming in for Sam Hart and Rekeem Harper respectively.
Backed by yet another sold-out away end in South West London, there was a bizarre start to the game for the Valiants, with one of the corner flags having to be replaced to ironic cheers from the supporters after a delay of a few minutes.
Vale soon settled though and enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 15 minutes, with the midfield trio of Ryan Croasdale, George Byers and Walters showing some excellent touches.
With two of the divisions top defences going head-to-head and plenty at stake, it wasn't until the 25th minute that either side created an opening. Good link-up play between Croasdale and Mitch Clark on the right set the former free, and his cross was turned over by Lorent Tolaj.
The hosts then started to apply some pressure for the first time, just before the half-hour mark, but resolute defending from the Valiants kept any shooting opportunities to a minimum. At the other end, Clark again found space on the right, but his cross evaded everyone.
With five minutes to go until the break, the Wombles fashioned a half-chance, with Ryan Johnson heading over the bar, while Tolaj very nearly got away from the last defender as Vale then looked for an opener.
The best opportunity of the half for either side came right at the end of it, as Vale goalkeeper Ben Amos palmed Sam Hutchinson's 20-yard drive away for a corner in stoppage time.
Tight, tense and firmly in the balance, the game was level as the referee blew his whistle to signal the break.
Both sides returned for the second half unchanged, and Wimbledon picked up where they had left off, by winning an early corner.
Then, a huge flashpoint. Vale looked to have taken the lead on 54 minutes when Connor Hall's header came crashing back off the crossbar and then the goalkeeper, leaving Stockley to tap in, but it was ruled out for offside. It may not have counted, but it was the spark we needed.
With the Valiants shooting towards the away end in the second half, Moore's men came forward again and had claims for a penalty turned down after asking for handball inside the area. It was all Vale now, as the clock ticked beyond the hour mark.
Stockley wouldn't be denied a second time, though. With 65 minutes played, Headley played a teasing cross into the area and Vale's number nine did what he does best, meeting the ball with his head to find the back of the net and send the away end into raptures.
Then, like London buses, it was two. Byers found space and played a perfect through ball for Headley to run onto, and the full-back did the rest, finishing across the keeper and into the corner to leave Vale just 23 minutes from glory. In the aftermath, Wimbledon boss Jonnie Jackson was shown a red card.
From there, Vale were extremely professional in protecting their two-goal cushion as the supporters sang Moore's name in the stands. Any route back into the game for the home side was snuffed out by the back five, while Stockley and Tolaj provided an outlet.
As the final whistle sounded, so too did a huge roar from the Valiants - from the pitch, to the away end, to the press box and Boardroom. Only once before - in 1930 - had Vale bounced back at the first attempt, and now this group of players have written themselves into the history books.
Once again, League One calls.
AFC Wimbledon: Goodman, Johnson (C), Tilley, Maycock (Pigott 84'), Bugiel (Browne 66'), Neufville, Smith, Stevens (Sasu 84'), Harbottle, Lewis, Hutchinson (Hippolyte 66').
Subs not used: Ward, Kelly, Ogundere.
Booked: Bugiel, Hutchinson
Sent off: Jonnie Jackson (manager)
Port Vale: Amos, Clark, Hall, Smith, Debrah, Headley (Shorrock 87'), Croasdale, Walters (Walters 82'), Byers (C), Tolaj, Stockley.
Subs not used: Broome, Shorrock, Lowe, Richards, Curtis, Hackford.
