A superb first-half strike from Sam Hoskins was enough to secure Northampton victory at Tranmere and automatic promotion to League One. Hoskins, the League Two Player of the Year, volleyed home his 22nd goal of the season in the fifth minute. Northampton suffered final-day heartbreak last season when Bristol Rovers’ 7-0 win over Scunthorpe saw them miss out on goals scored – but there was no repeat this time as they held on to win. “There’s been a lot of pain to get here,” said the Northampton manager, Jon Brady, in an emotional post-match interview. “Last year hurt and [this time] we don’t have to do playoffs, and can actually just enjoy the moment. [This club] is like a family, we look after each other.” Stockport County needed Northampton to lose and to beat relegated Hartlepool themselves to snatch the last automatic spot – but they were held to a 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park and must now settle for the playoffs. Dave Challinor’s side opened the scoring from the penalty spot six minutes before the break after Callum Camps was brought down inside the area. He picked himself up and fired the ball into the top corner, but Pools grabbed an equaliser when Callum Cooke smashed in from outside the area. The home side had a chance to snatch all three points, and potentially put pressure on Northampton, as Camps stepped up for another penalty. The Hartlepool keeper, Ben Killip, saved his spot-kick, prompting scenes of jubilation at Prenton Park. Salford City will be the Hatters’ playoff semi-final opponents in a local derby, as they held onto the final spot despite losing 1-0 at home to Gillingham. Cheye Alexander won it for the visitors with a late penalty but Mansfield, who won 2-0 at Colchester, narrowly missed out on goal difference. Carlisle secured fifth place and a two-legged tie with Bradford after they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Sutton. The hosts took the lead through Kylian Kouassi but the Cumbrians levelled with four minutes to go when Joe Kizzi headed into his own net, denying Sutton their first league win in 11 games. Bradford confirmed their spot with a 1-1 draw against the champions, Leyton Orient, who broke the deadlock through Jordan Brown in the 41st minute to silence a bumper home crowd. Mark Hughes’s side levelled just two minutes later through Brad Halliday’s deflected effort from outside the box and that was how it stayed. Charlie Austin struck for Swindon as they beat Crawley 2-1 with their new manager, Michael Flynn, watching from the stands. Jake Reeves’ strike was enough for promoted Stevenage to claim a 1-0 win at Barrow, while Isaac Ogundere’s own goal earned Grimsby a 1-0 victory over Wimbledon. Elsewhere, Lachlan Brook equalised deep in stoppage time as Crewe earned an entertaining 2-2 draw with Newport. Connor Wilkinson and Isaac Hutchinson were on target for Walsall in their 2-1 win over Doncaster and relegated Rochdale ended their campaign with a 1-1 draw at Harrogate Town.