Summary

  • League One: Cardiff City are promoted after beating Reading 3-1 and with Stockport being held 3-3 by Exeter

  • Wins for Plymouth, Rotherham, Doncaster & Blackpool

  • Mansfield v Luton & Stevenage v Lincoln end in 2-2 draws

  • Bolton & Barnsley - both down to 10 men - fight back to draw against Huddersfield & Bradford respectively in the early games

  • Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane to leave club at end of season

  • League Two:Bromley are promoted without kicking a ball after Notts County lose 2-1 to Barnet

  • Wins for Walsall, Cheltenham, MK Dons, Harrogate, Grimsby, Salford & Bristol Rovers

  • Swindon v Accrington, Crawley v Shrewsbury, Fleetwood v Chesterfield end in draws

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  1. Ravens and Bluebirds fly highpublished at 17:36 BST 18 April

    League One & League Two

    Cardiff players celebrate with the fansImage source, Shutterstock

    What a day we have just had in the EFL.

    Bromley have been promoted to League One for the first time in their history without even kicking a ball.

    Cardiff City have been promoted to the Championship at the first time of asking after they were relegated last season.

    It's all still to play in terms of promotion, play-off places and relegation across the third and fourth tier.

    More EFL action to come tomorrow as Ipswich host Middlesbrough in a huge game at the top of the Championship, while Peterborough take on Burton and Port Vale welcome Wigan in League One.

    Thank you for joining us today. That's us done on this live page.

    Enjoy your evening and rest well on Sunday - particularly in Bromley and Cardiff where there are likely to be some sore heads.

  2. 'Cardiff celebrate with adoring fans'published at 17:31 BST 18 April

    FT: Reading 1-3 Cardiff - Cardiff promoted to the Championship

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at the Select Car Lease Stadium

    Cardiff City's Callum Robinson celebrates securing promotion to the ChampionshipImage source, PA Media

    Cardiff came into this game knowing that promotion was a matter of time; only the most improbable sequence of events could deny them an immediate return to the Championship.

    Their expectant fans had snapped up their ticket allocation at Reading weeks in advance, sensing promotion could be sealed here – but in the knowledge that their team had the security of three matches afterwards should they need them.

    Perry Ng made sure of victory with an excellent left-footed strike, and the celebrations showed that Cardiff knew promotion was at that stage essentially guaranteed.

    News then reached the away end of Exeter goalkeeper Bycroft's goal, prompting wild scenes among the Bluebirds supporters.

    And once the final whistle blew, players and staff were able to stream on to the pitch, pop open the champagne and celebrate with their adoring fans.

    Read the full report from Cardiff's victory at Reading and subsequent promotion here.

  3. What it means to Cardiff City...published at 17:31 BST 18 April

    FT: Reading 1-3 Cardiff - Cardiff promoted to the Championship

    Cardiff players celebrateImage source, PA Media
    Cardiff players celebrateImage source, PA Media
    Cardiff players celebrateImage source, PA Media
    Cardiff players celebrateImage source, PA Media
  4. Bromley up, MK closing inpublished at 17:26 BST 18 April

    League Two table

    League Two table at full time on 18 AprilImage source, Shutterstock

    After a big day of relegation and play-off battles in League Two, this is how we stand.

    Bromley have been promoted to League One following Notts County’s 2-1 loss to Barnet. The Magpies drop down to fifth with MK Dons closing in on automatic promotion.

    Salford leapfrog the Magpies into fourth and are just a point off Cambridge United in the final automatic promotion spot.

    Swindon’s draw with Accrington means they drop down to sixth and have a five-point lead on eight-placed Grimsby, who have a game in hand to potentially move just two points off the Robins.

    Chesterfield occupy that final play-off spot after their 1-1 draw with Fleetwood.

    In the relegation battle, Harrogate's stoppage-time winner means they're just a point from safety and level on points with Barrow.

    Newport and Tranmere sit on 37 points, with Crawley just above them on 38. Tranmere have a game in hand still to play in the week.

  5. League One full-time headlinespublished at 17:23 BST 18 April

    #bbcefl

    • Cardiff sealed automatic-promotion after a 3-1 win at Reading.
    • Lincoln's injury-time equaliser at Stevenage means the Imps just need a point in their next game to seal the title. Rob Street's goal means they stretched their unbeaten run to 26 games as Boro remain in the final play-off spot after this 2-2 draw.
    • Stockport conceded late in added time to draw 3-3 at Exeter.
    • Plymouth secured an important 3-1 win at AFC Wimbledon to propel them up to seventh with the Dons now only two points above relegation.
    • Luton's 2-2 draw at Mansfield sees them drop down a place into eighth and three points adrift the play-offs.
    • Blackpool hung on to win 1-0 at Wycombe despite being down to 10 men to ease their relegation fears.
    • Doncaster won 3-1 at already relegated Northampton.
    • And Leyton Orient's 2-0 defeat by Rotherham means the O's drop down to 19th and are now three points adrift of safety.
  6. Cardiff City are uppublished at 17:18 BST 18 April

    League One table

    League One table at full time on 18 AprilImage source, Shutterstock

    Take a look at that, Cardiff City fans.

    The Bluebirds are back in the Championship at the first time of asking after relegation last season.

    Lincoln need just one more point to seal the title but I'm sure the Welsh side won't care about that tonight as they celebrate.

    The race for the play-offs rumbles on, while Exeter move within two points of safety following their late draw and AFC Wimbledon's defeat.

    Port Vale live to fight another day, even if their hopes of survival are somewhat slim.

  7. Cardiff celebrations beginpublished at 17:13 BST 18 April

    FT: Reading 1-3 Cardiff - Cardiff promoted to the Championship

    Cardiff players celebrateImage source, Shutterstock
    Cardiff fans celebrateImage source, Shutterstock
  8. League Two full-time headlinespublished at 17:10 BST 18 April

    #bbcefl

    • Cheltenham have beaten Newport 1-0 after a George Miller goal to leave the Welsh side still in trouble of relegation.
    • Despite being a man down, Chesterfield managed to draw 1-1 with Fleetwood following a Ryan Stirk 89th-minute equaliser.
    • Harrogate scored nine minutes into stoppage time to get a huge 1-0 victory over Colchester, after Jack Evans found the top corner from close range, meaning they are just a point from safety with two to play.
    • Grimsby put four past Gillingham in a 4-1 winto keep their play-off hopes alive, leaving them just two points behind Chesterfield.
    • Salford held on to beat Oldham 2-1, to leave themselves just a point off the automatic promotion places.
    • Tranmere suffered a blow to their survival hopes, losing 2-1 to Bristol Rovers, as they sit just a point above Barrow and Harrogate, but have a game in hand.
    • Crawley also failed to capitalise on Barrow’s result as they drew 0-0 with Shrewsbury.
  9. 'Absolute delirium'published at 17:09 BST 18 April

    FT: Reading 1-3 Cardiff - Cardiff promoted to the Championship

    Andy Stevenson
    Final Score reporter at the Select Car Leasing Stadium

    Cardiff's immediate promotion back into the Championship is confirmed, there is absolute delirium amongst the 3,000 travelling fans.

    They are doing as they are told and staying off the pitch, but they are making plenty of noise.

    It is party time for Cardiff fans!

  10. 'It feels like a promotion party'published at 17:08 BST 18 April

    FT: Crewe 1-3 MK Dons

    Marc Webber
    BBC Final Score commentator at the Mornflake Stadium

    Over a thousand Milton Keynes Dons fans bounce up and down in front of me as their players go over to cheer them.

    It feels like a promotion party, but they do need at least a draw in the last two games to confirm it.

  11. Heartbreak for Newport Countypublished at 17:07 BST 18 April

    FT: Cheltenham 1-0 Newport

    Laura Kenyon
    BBC Final Score reporter at Whaddon Road

    Well that is heartbreaking for Newport County and their 1,000 away fans.

    Hit the woodwork twice. Created plenty of chances but punished for not taking them and come away with absolutely nothing to show for it.

    How costly will that prove with their future in the football league in jeopardy? Two massive games to come.

  12. Bromley promoted to League One for first timepublished at 17:06 BST 18 April

    FT: Notts County 1-2 Barnet - Bromley promoted to League One

    Bromley were playing National League football two years ago.

    In just their second season in the English Football League, the Ravens are bound for League One.

    Read the full story here.

  13. BROMLEY ARE PROMOTED TO LEAGUE ONEpublished at 17:00 BST 18 April
    Breaking

    FT: Notts County 1-2 Barnet

    Bromley graphicImage source, Shutterstock

    Bromley have been promoted to League One for the first time in their history!!!

    Notts County needed a result against Barnet but their 2-1 defeat means the Ravens cannot finish lower than third.

  14. FULL-TIMEpublished at 17:00 BST 18 April
    Breaking

    Reading 1-3 Cardiff

    Cardiff graphicImage source, Shutterstock

    Cardiff City have done it! The Bluebirds are promoted to the Championship!

    Goals from Rubin Colwill, Omari Kellyman and Perry Ng seal three points at Reading.

    And Exeter goalkeeper Jack Bycroft might just have the freedom of the Welsh capital after scoring a 96th-minute equaliser against Stockport to ensure Cardiff go up today.

    A truly remarkable, dramatic way for it to all unfold.

  15. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:59 BST 18 April

    Notts County 1-2 Barnet

    Barnet have come to Meadow Lane and snatched all three points in an excellent display.

    Notts County had their chances in this game but Jodi Jones’ goal from the spot was all they could muster as Kabongo Tshimanga’s double either side gives the Bees all the points.

    This result leaves the Magpies two points off Cambridge United who play in the week, with Salford leapfrogging them into fourth place.

    Barnet move within three of Chesterfield following their draw with Fleetwood.

  16. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:58 BST 18 April

    AFC Wimbledon 1-3 Plymouth

    Big win for Plymouth at the Cherry Red Records Stadium!

    Alex Mitchell gave the Pilgrims an early lead after six minutes to go in ahead at half-time. Alistair Smith got an equaliser for AFC Wimbledon six minutes in the second half, but goals from Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple seal a big three points for Tom Cleverley's side who are up to seventh in League One and in the play-off mix.

    Meanwhile, this defeat condemns the Dons to a sixth straight defeat leaving them two points off safety.

  17. Postpublished at 16:57 BST 18 April

    Notts County 1-2 Barnet

    We're into the final two minutes at Meadow Lane and Barnet are looking strong.

    Notts County can't seem to create an opening.

  18. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:57 BST 18 April

    Crewe 1-3 MK Dons

    MK Dons players celebrateImage source, Shutterstock

    MK Dons take a big step towards promotion to League One.

  19. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:56 BST 18 April

    Exeter 3-3 Stockport

    Exeter salvage a late, late draw and Cardiff are on the brink of promotion to the Championship!

    Goalkeeper Jack Bycroft with the 96th-minute equaliser for the Grecians who earn a vital point in their battle to avoid relegation.

    Stockport will not be going up automatically and will still have work to do to secure a play-off spot.

  20. League One latestpublished at 16:55 BST 18 April

    #bbcefl

    Rob Street has levelled for Lincoln City to make it 2-2 against Stevenage. Have they salvaged that remarkable unbeaten run of what is now 26 games?

    And Doncaster have a third at Northampton thanks to George Broadbent.