Lincoln City celebrated their promotion to the Championship with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Reading, marking their return to the second tier after a 65-year absence.
Needing just a single point to secure promotion, Lincoln made an explosive start, taking the lead in the fifth minute with a goal from Ryan Oné. The team appeared on track for a 1-0 victory, but Reading equalized in the second minute of stoppage time with a free-kick from Lewis Wing. Just four minutes later, however, Jack Moylan scored the decisive goal, moments after Bolton’s match against Stockport ended in a 2-2 draw, ensuring that neither team could surpass Lincoln’s points tally.
The 2,884 Lincoln supporters packed into the away section were treated to an early celebration when Oné headed in a free-kick delivered by Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, which goalkeeper Joel Pereira might have been expected to save.
Despite being unbeaten at home for their last ten matches, Reading struggled to penetrate Lincoln’s disciplined defense. Charlie Savage squandered a chance by shooting wide during a rare offensive, while Ryley Towler’s attempt went just over the crossbar as Lincoln almost increased their lead.
In the second half, Lincoln adopted a more defensive strategy, nearly completing their mission as Reading pressed forward without success. Substitute Alfie Lloyd failed to convert a header from a Conor McGrandles cross before Reading equalized with Wing’s impressive free-kick from 20 yards out.
In the sixth minute of injury time, Moylan secured the win for Lincoln by scoring from close range, celebrating the club’s return to the second tier for the first time since 1961 and simultaneously diminishing Reading’s playoff aspirations.
Meanwhile, in other matches, Harry Leonard scored an equalizer for Peterborough in a 1-1 draw against Cardiff City, who continued to struggle in their pursuit of promotion. Leonard swiftly responded to Alex Robertson’s opening goal for Cardiff, who have now won only two of their last eight games, allowing Bradford City to close the gap to seven points.
Bradford came from behind to defeat Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 at Adams Park, with Aden Baldwin’s second-half goal significantly boosting their playoff chances after Bobby Pointon had leveled following André Vidigal’s opener for Wycombe, who fell to 11th place.
Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County played to a 2-2 draw, effectively ending both teams’ hopes of securing automatic promotion, with Ben Osborn’s late own goal giving Bolton a share of the points.
Stevenage re-entered the playoff spots with a narrow 1-0 victory over Blackpool, thanks to a goal from Harvey White in the 66th minute, while Plymouth Argyle maintained pressure with a resounding 3-0 win against Barnsley.
Luton Town kept their playoff ambitions alive with a 3-0 triumph over AFC Wimbledon, and Burton Albion managed to secure a crucial point in their relegation battle with a goalless draw against Mansfield Town. Wigan Athletic moved closer to safety with a 3-1 victory over Northampton Town at Sixfields.
Exeter City ended a 15-match winless streak with a vital 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers, while Leyton Orient suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Huddersfield Town, with Ryan Ledson netting the winner in the 16th minute of stoppage time, following a delay due to a head collision between Huddersfield’s George Sebine and Marcus Harness.
In League Two, MK Dons missed an opportunity to capitalize on leaders Bromley’s absence, settling for a 1-1 draw at Oldham Athletic, where Mike Fondop scored late to equalize after Marvin Ekpiteta’s opener.
Lucas Ness scored his first two professional goals, helping Notts County secure a 3-1 victory over Newport County, who are battling relegation. Cheltenham Town hindered Cambridge United’s automatic promotion bid with a stoppage-time own goal by Jake Eastwood, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Late goals from Fletcher Holman and Aaron Drinan propelled Swindon Town to a comeback victory over Walsall at 2-1, while Salford City’s playoff hopes took a hit with a 1-0 loss to Crewe Alexandra. Chesterfield achieved a 1-0 win against Barrow.
First-half goals from Jaze Kabia and Harvey Rodgers aided Grimsby Town’s playoff aspirations with a 2-0 victory over ten-man Crawley Town. Gillingham secured a 2-0 win against Accrington Stanley, and Ellis Harrison scored twice as Bristol Rovers triumphed 3-2 over Harrogate Town.
Barnet moved closer to the playoff spots with a convincing 5-2 win against Fleetwood Town, while Tranmere Rovers suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Colchester United.
