Preston North End secured promotion to the Championship with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Swindon Town in the League One playoff final at Wembley.
The Lilywhites dominated proceedings as a Jermaine Beckford hat-trick and a goal from Paul Huntingdon helped Simon Grayson's men secure their position in English football's second tier.
Preston's victory also ends an unwanted record, having failed to earn promotion through the playoffs in nine previous attempts.
Relive North End's Wembley win over the Robins with Sports Mole's live text commentary below.
4.29pmHello and welcome to live coverage of the League One playoff final. Preston North End and Swindon Town do battle for a place in the Championship next season and, with both teams boasting plenty of attacking talent, this promises to be an exhilarating afternoon!
4.31pmPreston are looking to go up via the playoffs for the first time in their history. They have failed at this stage in nine previous attempts. However, they did coast into the final with a 4-0 aggregate win over Chesterfield, which was rounded off by a 50-yard Jermaine Beckford strike at Deepdale.
4.34pmNorth End were in pole position to go up automatically on the final day of the regular season, but a defeat away to Colchester combined with MK Dons' home win over Yeovil Town meant that the Lilywhites were forced to settle for a playoff place.
4.35pmTheir opponents Swindon were also in contention for automatic promotion at one stage. The Robins topped the table earlier in the season, but faded away to finish fourth in the division.
4.37pmHowever, Town reached Wembley with a dramatic playoff semi-final victory over Sheffield United. After winning 2-1 at Bramall Lane, Swindon raced into a three-goal lead at the County Ground, but were forced stave off a late Blades fightback as the second-leg ended 5-5!
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4.41pmWe'll have team news from Wembley in the next few minutes, but a quick update from the Premier League first as the final round of fixtures enter the dying minutes. Newcastle are on course to stay up as they lead at home to West Ham, while Hull's game with Manchester United is currently goalless. Elsewhere, Liverpool are 5-1 down at Stoke City. All of the Potters goals came in the first 45 minutes!
4.41pmSo, to that team news...
4.43pmSWINDON XI: Foderingham, Stephens, Thompson N, Turnbull, Byrne, Kasim, Luongo, Gladwin, Toffolo, Smith, Obika
SUBS: Belford, Ricketts, Branco, Thompson L, Rodgers, Williams, Hylton
4.44pmPRESTON XI: Johnstone, Clarke, Wright, Huntingdon, Woods, Welsh, Kilkenny, Johnson, Gallagher, Beckford, Garner
SUBS: Stuckmann, Laird, Humphrey, Browne, Reid, Hugill, K. Davies
4.48pmPreston have named an unchanged lineup for the team which started the 3-0 second-leg victory at Deepdale against Chesterfield. Paul Gallagher place had been in doubt after he picked up a knock against the Spireites. However, the midfielder proved his fitness in the build-up to this game and starts at Wembley.
4.53pmSwindon captain Nathan Thompson was also an injury doubt heading into this game after pulling up with a hamstring strain against Sheffield United, but is fit to play. Harry Toffolo, who sat out the second-leg against the Blades, is recalled after regaining fitness.
4.57pmThe Robins have also opted for Jonathan Obika, who scored against the Blades, in attack, with Jermaine Hylton dropping to the bench. John Swift misses out with a calf problem and top-scorer Andy Williams is among the substitutes.
4.59pmIf North End are to end their playoff jinx, much will depend on the performances of League One's leading scorer Joe Garner, with 25 goals to his name this term, and Jermaine Beckford, who scored three of Preston's four against Chesterfield. They will also look for ammunition from ex-Aston Villa winger Daniel Johnson.
5.03pmWhile the 21-goal Andy Williams is on the bench for Swindon, they do have Michael Smith in attack. Smith has 17 to his name this season and was on the scoresheet against Sheffield United in that dramatic draw at the County Ground, so the Robins will hope that their own sharp shooters can fire them to the Championship.
5.07pmPAST MEETINGS: There has been a win apiece for both teams this season. Swindon won the first encounter at the County Ground, thanks to a solitary strike from Andy Williams. However, they were beaten comprehensively in the reverse fixture, with a Joe Garner hat-trick sealing a 3-0 win for the Lilywhites.
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5.09pmWe're building up to kickoff at the National Stadium, but Preston owner Trevor Hemmings (also a Grand National-winning owner on several occasions) looking resplendent in his flat cap on the Wembley turf!
PNE owner Mr Hemmings has arrived ahead of the big game later today. pic.twitter.com/jMbvxxTsuL
— pnefc (@pnefc) May 24, 20155.11pmWhile Garner has topped to scoring charts, ex-Everton winger Peter Beagrie believes that Beckford poses the biggest threat to Swindon.
He told Sky Sports: "He is at a club where the manager knows him, he and the manager like each other and they get the best out of him. He's training hard and he's a fit as he's been, he is also benefitting from playing week in week out and he will be one of the major threats to Swindon."
5.14pmHowever, Robins boss' Mark Cooper is focusing on his own team's performance and is excited about taking his side to the Wembley showpiece.
Speaking to BBC's Points West programme, he said: "It's the biggest match of my career as a manager and I'm really looking forward to it.
"But the one thing I do hope is the players do themselves justice. I hope they really go and show the millions of people that are watching what they're all about - and that's that they're a fantastic football team. If they do that, and perform as I know they can, they have a chance of doing well."
5.17pmBREAKING NEWS! As kickoff in the League One playoff final nears, we just have time for breaking news out of Upton Park. West Ham have revealed that Sam Allardyce will leave his post as manager after the club chose not to renew his contract.
5.21pmWembley Way is certainly looking busy in the build-up to the final...
Fans of @pnefc and @Official_STFC line Wembley Way before this afternoon's #PlayOffFinal pic.twitter.com/xzYVJUs1BN
— Sky Bet League 1 (@SkyBetLeague1) May 24, 20155.22pmSTATS: Both teams have shown their goal-scoring prowess this season, with Preston netting 79 goals and Swindon scoring 76. However, North End's recent form could be a telling point. They have lost only once in 21 matches, and that defeat ultimately cost them automatic promotion on the last day of the campaign.
5.26pmBoth teams emerge from the tunnel at Wembley. The excitement is building!
5.28pmPREDICTION: With the game fast approaching, it's time for a prediction. I'd suggest that a good bet would be for both teams to score, but Preston's impressive recent form will be decisive. So, I've gone for the Lilywhites to edge it 2-1.
5.29pmBoth sets of fans (and the players) belt out the national anthem. As that feeling of patriotism dies down, we're about to get underway.
0 minKICKOFF: And we're off at Wembley!
1 minInterestingly, Grayson looks to have lined up his team with a diamond in midfield. He threw a curveball to Chesterfield a fortnight ago with 4-3-3, and he looks to have done so again.
3 minGOAL! Preston 1-0 Swindon (Beckford)
3 minAnother fast start from North End! Beckford earns a free kick on the left wing after he was fouled by Thompson. Gallagher's great delivery allows the ex-Leeds frontman to tuck home from close range.
4 minIt goes from bad to worse for Swindon. Their captain Thompson was an injury doubt before the game and, in challenging Beckford, his leg looks to have buckled underneath him and he leaves the pitch on a stretcher.
5 minSWINDON SUB: Thompson's injury means that Sam Ricketts comes on.
6 minWell, it's that man Beckford again. Four of Preston's five goals in the playoffs have come from the former Everton striker.
7 minSwindon give the ball away and a long ball across the pitch finds Gallagher in space, but Ricketts stands up to the midfielder and blocks his cross.
9 minFOUL! Luongo tries to run at the Preston backline, but is bundled over by Kilkenny. The midfielder escapes with a talking to.
11 minThe first sniff of a Swindon attack, but Smith is bullied out of it before he take the ball. At the other end, Garner tries to manufacture a shooting opportunity before he is closed down. Lively opening to say the least!
13 minGOAL! Preston 2-0 Swindon (Huntingdon)
13 minPreston are cruising towards the Championship at this rate! Another Gallagher cross reaches Huntingdon and the goal-scoring defender adds another to his tally for the season. Swindon are on the ropes here!
15 minCooper is urging his Swindon side to keep calm from the touchline. They do need to gain a foothold in the game as they are being pummeled by the Lilywhites.
16 minAmazingly, Preston have had only 30% of the ball so far, but they have been far more potent than their opponents.
17 minSwindon's first attack of promise ends with Clarke clearing from a few yards out. Moments later, Byrne tries to fashion an opening on the edge of the box, but is closed down quickly by the North End defence.
18 minThe captain's armband has been passed around a fair bit! Thompson started as Robins skipper before injury forced him off. Ricketts wore it for a time, but now Foderingham has the honour. It's like a flashback to Sven-Goran Eriksson's England!
20 minI mentioned Johnson in the build-up to the game. However, much of Preston's attacking guile has come via Gallagher on the left flank so far.
23 minSHOT! Swindon have started to spend more time in the Preston half and Stephens sprints at the North End backline. His shot is deflected for the Robins' third corner of the match.
24 minJohnstone punches cleanly from Byrne's corner into the box before a tame shot from out wide from the full back rolls into the keeper's arms. PNE seem content to defend deep and invite Swindon to attack. They seem to be pinning their hopes on counter attacking.
26 minGallagher goes down with a tight calf. Grayson can ill afford to lose the Scot, who has been the best player on the pitch so far.
27 minPreston send Gallagher back on, but Browne is limbering up just in case.
28 minFOUL! Referee Andy Madley has been lenient so far. Woods goes through the back of Byrne. It's a clumsy challenge, but the Preston player escapes a yellow card.
31 minSwindon again keep possession in an advanced area, but Toffolo delivers a disappointing ball into the box and Preston clear with ease.
33 minSwindon continue enjoy plenty of the ball (possession still up around 70%), but Byrne is unable to latch onto a through ball on the right side of the area, which Johnstone gobbles up.
34 minBeckford loses his cool with Stephens after the defender fouls him. He isn't booked and Preston have another free kick in a dangerous position...
36 minClarke goes up for a header after another good ball from Gallagher, but Garner is penalised for tugging a Swindon shirt.
37 minPRESTON SUB: That was Gallagher's last act today. Injury sees the Scot withdrawn and Alan Browne comes in his place.
38 minThe Robins will be glad to see the back of Gallagher after two assists from free kicks. They will need to find a threat of their own. Smith and Obika have been anaonymous so far. Will we see Williams on for Swindon soon?
40 minWell, another lapse in concentration sees Garner pick up the ball on the right side. He nearly threads a pass through to Beckford, but it's cut out at the last minute.
42 minFOUL! Smith wins a free kick, Byrne plays it short to Stephens and his drifted pass into the box is hooked away by Clarke.
44 minGOAL! Preston 3-0 Swindon (Beckford)
44 minThat must be game over, surely? Beckford cuts inside on his right foot and curls a beauty beyond Foderingham. Moments earlier Smith missed a close-range header to bring Swindon back into the game. He should have scored, but Beckford duly did!
45 minFour added minutes at Wembley and Preston fans are on their feet singing!
45+1 minOn the other hand, Swindon fans look dejected. Can they see a way back into the game? It will be a big ask from here.
45+3 minLuongo goes down injured, but is fine to continue. Swindon cannot afford another injury withdrawal!
45+5 minHALF TIME: Preston 3-0 Swindon
6.23pmThe referee's whistle is greeted with huge cheers from the Preston support. They still have another 45 minutes to negotiate, but they know that North End are well on their way to the Championship.
6.24pmThis is the joint largest half-time lead in any playoff final. Swindon have been second best throughout and Preston's tactics of sitting back and hitting on the counter attack has paid off.
6.27pmBENCH WATCH: The obvious person for Mark Cooper to turn to is leading scorer Andy Williams, while Jermaine Hylton is another attacking option from the bench for the Robins. Preston are unlikely to change much, but may turn to Chris Humphrey later on, if Grayson tries to exploit any space offered by Swindon in the second period.
6.31pmSTATS: North End's ruthlessness has been very much evident. They have scored with every one of their shots on target while Swindon have failed to test Johnstone so far. Town have had 69% of possession, but that hasn't been converted into a breakthrough.
6.33pmOne telling statistic that will worry Swindon fans, hoping for a fightback, is Preston's record when they lead. The Lilywhites have not lost a single game this season in which they have led. Oh well, League One is a great division to play in...
6.36pmMark Cooper may want to resort to the hairdryer treatment for his half-time teamtalk. However, I'm not sure there are enough hairdryers at Wembley to convey his feelings to the Robins' squad. It will be interesting to see his players' response at the start of the second period.
6.38pmThe players are back out ahead of the second half. Swindon need a miracle!
45 minKICKOFF: Preston get us back underway at Wembley...
46 minTomorrow marks 10 years since Liverpool famous comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul to win the Champions League. Swindon may need some of that 'spirit of Istanbul' right now. They earn an early free kick, which Kasim will take...
47 minAnd it's a disappointing free kick. In fairness, Kasim's delivery was reasonable, but no Swindon player attacks the ball with any conviction and it drifts out of play. Cooper cuts a frustrated figure on the touchline.
49 minSwindon set up camp on the edge of the Preston area. They are unable to find a killer pass before Byrne delivers a off-balance shot-come-cross that is high and wide.
50 minSAVE! Beckford almost completes a hat-trick after Smith is dispossessed. He has the freedom of Wembley to run into before a low shot is turned away by Foderingham. Good save!
51 minWright heads wide from Kilkenny's cross as Preston create another chance. If Swindon throw men forward, one would think that North End will continue to have opportunities.
53 minYELLOW CARD: Kasim give away a needless foul in the corner of the pitch on Garner. He walks away from the referee before Foderingham sprints over and tells him to acknowledge the official.
54 minReplays show that Kasim then has a kick at Garner after the challenge. Swindon cannot go down to 10 men, if they are to come back.
57 minGOAL! Preston 4-0 Swindon (Beckford)
57 minBeckford completes a hat-trick, but the goal is down to sloppy play from Swindon. Kasim wants too many touches of the ball. He is dispossessed and Beckford again has the freedom of the Robins' half to run into. This time, he slides the ball under Foderingham's hand and into the corner.
59 minSWINDON SUB: Louis Thompson replaces Gladwin for the Robins.
59 minCHANCE! Clarke has a free header from a corner, but can't beat Foderingham. This is threatening to become really embarrassing for the Wiltshire outfit!
60 minClarke's header was the first attempt on-target from Preston that hasn't resulted in a goal. Preston's attack really has been at its potent best.
62 minCries for a hand-ball in the penalty area from Woods. Referee Madley waves away the appeals and it appears that he was right. The contact looked to be accidental.
64 minWilliams is limbering up for Swindon, but even he will struggle to get the Robins back from here.
65 minCHANCE! Obika almost pulls a goal back from Swindon, but Johnstone sprawls across his goal to collect.
66 minSWINDON SUB: Williams replaces Toffolo as Town make their final change.
67 minBeckford is down and it looks as if his day is done. That said, a hat-trick in a playoff final is a pretty good return.
68 minPRESTON SUB: The hat-trick hero Beckford limps off his with a calf problem to applause from the North End faithful. Kevin Davies takes his place.
69 minSHOT! Smith capitalises on a loose ball, but his shot from the edge of the Lilywhites area was closer to the second tier than the back of the net.
70 minBeckford chucks his shirt to a bunch of young Preston fans and inadvertantly starts a riot. Eventually, a mum comes over and breaks up the fracas. Now, now boys, play nicely!
72 minFOUL! Huntingdon gets up gingerly after a challenge from Byrne. Preston with a free kick on the right wing...
73 minCLOSE! Davies almost got on the scoresheet as he headed wide at the far post. The veteran forward has played at both the old Wembley at the new, did you know?
76 minCHANCE! Swindon's day is summed up as Thompson takes the ball on the right flank and weaves his way into the box before unleashing a tame effort.
78 minGarner almost tees up Davies for a fifth goal, but the former Bolton frontman pokes wide of Foderingham's goal. North End still look the likelier to score.
79 minLuongo tries to forge an opening with a run at the Preston defence before the Australian is closed down.
81 minSAVE! Swindon's best spell of the game so far as Turnbull let's fly with a shot that Johnstone needs to turn around for a corner.
82 minPRESTON SUB: Johnson is withdrawn and takes the applause of the travelling Preston supporters. Scott Laird will come on for the final minutes.
83 minSAVE! Swindon almost earn a consolation goal with Obika's glancing header, but Johnstone produces a Gordon Banks-style save to keep out the Robins forward. Great stop!
84 minThe Lilywhites fans inside Wembley show their courteous side as they wave goodbye to the Swindon supporters, many of whom make for the exits.
87 minSwindon are still having plenty of possession, but they are still unable to craft enough openings, which has very much been the story of their evening.
89 minLuongo tries to get in a cross on the right side of the area. However, Browne's no-nonsense defending sees that Australia international is thwarted.
90 minLaird is geeing up the Preston support behind the goal, not that they need much encouragement. Understandably, they have been much more vocal since the start.
90 minThree minutes left for Preston to see out...
90+2 minWhistles from the impatient North End fans as Byrne delivers another cross into the box. Wright again clears with no Robins forward for company.
90+3 minBeckford is already dancing on the bench. Preston are about to break their playoff hoodoo!
90+3 minFULL TIME: Preston 4-0 Swindon
7.28pmPreston are promoted to the Championship and it is fully deserved. The Lilywhites were easily the best side on the day. Swindon will be disappointed that they failed to deliver a decent performance, but they must make do with another year in League One.
7.32pmThe Robins had plenty of the ball, perhaps by design from Simon Grayson. They also had as many shots at goal as their opponents (eight apiece), but hit the target only once.
7.34pmUnsurprisingly, Preston fans are delighted with their side's victory...
The fans go wild on the final whistle! COME ON YOU WHITES! #PNElive https://t.co/xm1kN4BEu4
— pnefc (@pnefc) May 24, 20157.38pmSo, Preston return to the English football's second tier and, with their goal-scoring exploits this term, they could be an entertaining side to watch next season. Join Sports Mole on Monday afternoon for live coverage of the Championship playoff final between Middlesbrough and Norwich City, to see who will reach the Premier League. Until then, good evening!
