Hednesford Town promoted following play-off final win over Congleton Town

Hednesford Town secured promotion to the seventh tier of English football following a comfortable 2-0 victory over Congleton Town in front of nearly 5,000 spectators at Keys Park.

Goals from Jake Jervis and Jack Bearne were enough for the hosts, who were rarely troubled by their opponents as the Pitmen’s class and experience shone through.

A total of 4,701 supporters ensured the afternoon’s game was played in front of a record attendance at Keys Park, breaking the previous record of 4,412 vs FC United of Manchester in the EvoStik League Premier Division play-off final in 2013.

Gavin Hurren named the same side that overpowered Vauxhall Motors 3-1 in the semi-final four days previously, and his side were the quickest out of the blocks after a slightly delayed kick off.

Dominic McHale, who scored the second goal in Tuesday's victory, earned his side a penalty after just eight minutes after he was fouled by Congleton left back Carl Dickinson.

McHale picked himself to take the spot kick, only to see it saved smartly by Travis Ziglam down to his left-hand side.

Injury to Bears striker Max McCarthy caused a lengthy delay to proceedings, and after a blistering opening 10 minutes the stop-start nature of the first half did little to help either side.

McHale continued to threaten for the hosts, and took aim with two efforts from range that did not miss the mark by much.

However, the game sparked back into life in the fifth minute of stoppage time as the visitors paid the penalty once again.

This time it was Ziglam who turned from hero to villain, felling Jervis in the area after his poor clearance was intercepted by the Hednesford forward.

The 33-year-old stepped up to take the kick he had won and powered the ball confidently down the middle to send the Pitmen into half time ahead.

After the restart the visitors were almost gifted an equaliser when Elliott Johnson’s back pass wrongfooted Pitmen keeper Tony Breeden, who did just enough to recover and prevent the ball rolling into an empty net.

The hosts were not short on chances to extend their lead, and Jervis, Dan Trickett-Smith and substitute Nathan Blissett were all denied by some last-ditch defending from Congleton.

Trickett-Smith went close again moments later after a Hednesford counter attack, but saw his shot tipped over by Ziglam.

With ten minutes to play the Bears were reduced to 10 men when captain Peter Williams was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge.

And with seconds left to play substitute Jack Bearne put the icing on the cake with a calm finish to secure Hednesford Town promotion back to the seventh tier of English football.