Image source, PA Media

The heavens might have opened at Wembley during the League Two play-off final but it hasn't dampened the AFC Wimbledon celebrations.

Johnnie Jackson's side are in seventh heaven tonight after edging past Walsall thanks to Myles Hippolyte's strike to win 1-0 and secure their place in League One next season.

It's heartbreak for Walsall who looked absolutely nailed on to go up about four months ago.

But the campaign slowly slipped away for Mat Sadler's Saddlers and they will have to try and lift themselves to go again.

That brings to an end another remarkable EFL season which kept us guessing right until the very last. A rollercoaster journey is over - for another three months anyway.

Thank you for ing us today. Enjoy your evening and your summer... goodbye!

The conclusion of the League Two play-off final brings to an end the EFL season.

Here's one last look at who went up and down across the three divisions:

Championship

Promoted to Premier League: Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland

Relegated to League One: Luton, Plymouth and Cardiff

League One

Promoted to Championship: Birmingham, Wrexham and Charlton

Relegated to League Two: Crawley, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge and Shrewsbury

League Two

Promoted to League One: Doncaster, Port Vale, Bradford and AFC Wimbledon

Relegated to National League: Carlisle and Morecambe

Walsall

Image source, Rex Features

Walsall manager Mat Sadler speaking to Sky Sports:

"The lads are heartbroken, we're all heartbroken because we put so much into the season. Everyone was fully committed, they gave everything, we're heartbroken as a group.

"I couldn't more proud to lead this group. They've been unbelievable through every step of the journey. They've got so much resilience for such a young group.

"We knew that it was going to be a very tight game and that one bit of quality sealed the game. We had half moments that came out way, there weren't loads in the game. I thought first half we were not our usual energetic self, we wanted to get in at half-time and move that forward and I think the players were feeling that as well.

"Obviously, it's devastating we couldn't give the ers the outcome we wanted and we'll have to reset and go again and hopefully give them more moments to be proud of."

If you're still soaking up all the reaction, you can also relive today's League Two play-off final by reading Chris Peddy's match report from Wembley.

Tap on the 'Report' at the top of this page to do so.

Image source, Rex Features

AFC Wimbledon defender Joe Lewis speaking to Sky Sports:

"This group is unbelievable. The best way to sum up how we got here is through the team's work rate and the fact we're willing to run hard for each other.

On AFC Wimbledon's clean sheet record: "The staff have put a huge amount of work in to making sure we've got everything worked out, but we fight for each other."

On the future of the club: "Anything [is possible]. It's been an upward trajectory since I ed the club, and today shows the resilience of the group. We'll see what we can do."

Curtis Davies
Former Premier League defender on Sky Sports

Image source, Getty Images

Unreal. These are the moments where you can just enjoy it. The moments of taking in all the crowd and the noise.

It's just about the lads, get out, enjoy yourselves and come back with a sore head about 3-4am.

Troy Deeney
Former Walsall striker on Sky Sports

Image source, Getty Images

Very much like I see Burnley, they [AFC Wimbledon] have a great platform. That's what they've got to build on now. Solid at the back.

They will have to get better defenders and I mean that with the greatest resepct.

Joe Lewis is not the quickest. He's a solid pro but when you take the steps up and every level you go, the striker's get quicker and you can't keep relying on players like that.

They'll want him around because he's great for the squad but they're going to need better centre-backs.

And then also that little bit of quality in the final third. They scored from keeping a set-piece alive but you've got to be able to do a little bit more in League One.

The standard rises and it will be all about who they can get in, what's the budget and then pre-season.

Darren Wrack
Former Walsall midfielder on BBC Radio WM

It wasn't good enough on the day.

We didn't create enough in front of goal, we had one opportunity cleared off the line but we needed more.

I'm gutted for the fans and for the club. It's horrible to see, it really is.

Image source, Rex Features

AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson speaking to Sky Sports:

"This is surreal it feels like a dream, and I'm trying to take it in and enjoy it.

"There was so much riding on this game, so much pressure when the whistle goes. It's just relief and now I want to spend time with players family and friends."

On the match: "It was all torture. There was nothing in the game and both teams were good so we couldn't rest for a minute.

"When we won my boy was the first person Is saw up in the stands. He loves Wimbledon, and so these days are for the people you love.

On how this compared to promotion as a player: "This is miles better. Not playing at Wembley was one of my big regrets, so to lead a team out of the tunnel and win makes this probably the best day of my life."

Darren Wrack
Former Walsall midfielder on BBC Radio WM

The inquest will begin on where it went wrong.

ers will have questions, they will want to know what's happening, they will want questions answering about where it went wrong.

The fans appreciate the players' efforts, but it's devastating. It's devastating to see the position they were in and how it's ended.

Do you go with a new head coach? It's very much raw emotion. I feel for Sadler, week after week he has been irable in the way he has come out and answered questions.

Only time will tell, but let's hope they make the right decision.

Darren Wrack
Former Walsall midfielder on BBC Radio WM

Image source, Rex Features

It's an inexperienced team, we have players who have come from under-21 football and non-league football.

When it comes to these big occasions you need big players, maybe that's what found Walsall out to a certain extent. It will be a really hard learning curve for those players.

Darren Wrack
Former Walsall midfielder on BBC Radio WM

When those opportunities came along for Walsall they had to take them as they were precious and there wasn't enough clear-cut chances.

The final 15 minutes we were hoping, we were huffing and puffing but we just didn't create enough.

I have to take my hat off to Wimbledon as they came here and did what they had to do. Their game-plan was spot on, they were so well organised. They really did nullify Walsall, they dealt with everything that was thrown their way.

Image source, Rex Features

While the AFC Wimbledon players and staff continue to celebrate with their fans, let's just bring you a bit of reaction from the team on the losing side at Wembley...

Walsall were 15 points clear of fourth in mid-January. They'll be playing League Two football again next season though.

Image source, Rex Features

Back down the stairs and onto the Wembley pitch for the AFC Wimbledon players and staff to celebrate with their fans.

Absolute jubilation for the Dons. The other half of the home of football is a sea of red seats where Walsall fans were sat watching nervously for the past two hours or so.

The journey back to the West Midlands will feel like a long one after that.

Steve Hermon
West Brom commentator on BBC Radio WM

Image source, PA Media

The Walsall players fall to the floor, their season comes crashing down at Wembley.

It's the Walsall fans who walk away from Wembley heartbroken and devastated.

They were top of the tree at 2025, but a 13-game winless run lead them to the play-offs. We thought they turned it around in the play-off semi-final, but they failed to turn up on the biggest stage.

It's such a cruel way to lose.

Jamal Fyfield
Braintree Town defender on BBC Radio London

Image source, PA Media

You don't get many moments like these.

These guys haven't had a break. They have gone from preseason to now, and it has been such a long journey.

They've sacrificed time with family, but now they get to celebrate.

Image source, PA Media

AFC Wimbledon captain Jake Reeves speaking to Sky Sports:

"I've got so much pride in the group. We've worked extremely hard this season and had many setbacks, but we've carried on.

"We deserve this with what we've been through. We're like a family in this squad and we fight for each other."

Image source, Rex Features

Up goes the silverware with the blue and yellow confetti!

AFC Wimbledon players, with medals around their necks, take it in turns to the trophy around.

Image source, Getty Images

AFC Wimbledon match-winning goalscorer Myles Hippolyte speaking to Sky Sports:

"I'm delighted. It's been a tough season. We're just a great team. We're a hard team to beat. We run, fight, everything for each other.

"Everyone knows their jobs. I'm delighted to be here, delighted to have won. It's massive."

On the goal: "It happened just before and it went wide. I had a feeling I was going to score today. I don't know why, I got a few texts saying this was going to be my day.

"It's been a tough six months but now I'm here, scored the goal. Delighted."