Notts County clinched promotion to League One with a convincing 3-0 victory over Salford at Wembley, ending an 11‑year wait to return to the third tier. Alassana Jatta opened the scoring, followed by Lucas Ness before halftime, while Jodi Jones added a third after the break. The win caps a rapid ascent, just three seasons after the club rose from the National League.

Both sides had flirted with automatic promotion before slipping into the playoffs. County edged Chesterfield 1-0 over two legs, while Salford survived Grimsby 4-3 on aggregate after extra‑time. At Wembley, a long pass from Jones set up Jatta’s 32nd‑minute strike, and Ness’s headed free‑kick doubled the lead on the stroke of half‑time.

Head coach Martin Paterson, just 18 months into his managerial career, called the triumph a moment of gratitude and praised his squad’s discipline. Salford’s co‑owners David Beckham and Gary Neville will face another season in League Two, while County’s supporters celebrate a return to the third tier after a decade‑long absence. The 3-0 result officially underscores County’s defensive solidity en route to a new chapter.