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Wigan make Championship return at the first time of asking

ByPA Sport

Published 30/04/2016 at 19:50 GMT

Wigan claimed an immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship by thumping Lancashire rivals Blackpool 4-0.

Wigan players celebrate winning promotion to the Sky Bet Championship at Blackpool

Image credit: PA Sport

Creative midfielder Yanic Wildschut bagged a brace, either side of strikes from midfielder Chris McCann and League One top-scorer Will Grigg, as Gary Caldwell's men scored four times in the final 31 minutes at Bloomfield Road to secure promotion.
The struggling Seasiders were relegated alongside the Latics last season and they now need to win on the final day of the season, and hope Fleetwood lose their two remaining fixtures, to avoid going down again.
Doncaster also need a remarkable turnaround to avoid the drop after losing 3-1 at already-relegated Crewe.
Rovers went ahead at Gresty Road when Tommy Rowe struck his third goal in three games but the home side responded through Callum Ainley, Marcus Haber and Brad Inman.
Darren Ferguson's side now need a victory next week, Fleetwood to lose twice, Blackpool to drop points and a dramatic goal difference swing.
Tom Naylor scored an injury-time winner as second-placed Burton beat play-off hopefuls Gillingham 2-1 to put themselves on the brink of promotion and prevent Wigan from being crowned champions this weekend. Gills striker Cody McDonald looked to have earned his side a point after cancelling out Lucas Akins' opener.
Justin Edinburgh's men still have a chance of making the play-offs after Colchester midfielder Tom Lapslie struck in the eighth minute of added-on time to earn his side a 2-2 draw at sixth-placed Barnsley.
Ashley Fletcher's brace turned the game in the Tykes' favour following George Moncur's opener but they were denied all three points at the death.
Millwall and Bradford both recorded victories to ensure their places in the top six.
Byron Webster's double and a Shane Ferguson strike gave the Lions a comfortable 3-0 victory over Oldham, while Lee Evans' goal was the difference as the Bantams won 1-0 at Southend.
Scunthorpe remain with a shot of the final play-off place after Paddy Madden's goal gave them a 1-0 home victory over Port Vale, which ended the visitors own top-six ambitions.
Shrewsbury are now safe from relegation despite conceding a last-minute goal in the 4-3 home defeat to Peterborough.
Goals from Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, Andy Mangan and Jack Grimmer brought the Shrews level after Jack Baldwin and a Lee Angol double put Posh three goals ahead but they were denied a point by Jon Taylor's last-gasp strike. Town defender Ian Black was dismissed in injury time.
Chesterfield also confirmed their League One place for next season after Jay O'Shea's penalty and goals from Lee Novak and Dan Gardner saw them convincingly beat Bury 3-0.
Mid-table sides Sheffield United and Rochdale saw their slim play-off hopes finally end as they both failed to win.
The Blades were beaten 3-1 at Coventry. Marc-Antoine Fortune and Andy Rose put the Sky Blues in control and, after Billy Sharp's penalty reduced the deficit, substitute Ruben Lameiras sealed victory.
Keith Hill's Dale pulled back from two-goals down to draw 2-2 with nine-man Swindon. Jonathan Obika put the Robins ahead and, after Rochdale striker Ian Henderson saw his penalty saved by debutant goalkeeper Will Henry, Nathan Thompson doubled the lead. Swindon, who had Louis Thompson and Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill sent off, could not hang on and went home with a point following strikes from Jamie Allen and Matthew Lund.
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