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    Birmingham on brink of £35m takeover as controversial ex-Watford chief Laurence Bassini claims to have struck deal

    BIRMINGHAM CITY are on the brink of a £35million buy-out, with controversial former Watford owner Laurence Bassini claiming to have struck a deal for the Championship club.Bassini, 52, says he has exchanged contracts on a deal to buy Blues with a takeover due within days.
    Bassini (L) wants a return to English football ownershipCredit: Getty
    A key part of his blueprint would be to secure full ownership in two years and includes bringing the club’s St Andrew’s home back to its former glories.
    Bassini wants to push ahead with urgent upgrades of the lower tiers of the Kop and Tilton Road stands.
    This isn’t the first time the ex-Watford chief has tried to buy Birmingham, after he failed in an attempt to purchase Blues in 2021.
    He renewed his interest towards the end of last season and has been secretly negotiating through intermediaries with the club’s Chinese owners since then.
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    Bassini says he has no ambitions to become a director or chairman but as owner will appoint a board of ‘very experienced footballing people,’ to run the club on his behalf.
    He also plans to upgrade the club’s Wast Hills training base and push for the academy to quickly regain its Category One status.
    Blues have been owned by Hong Kong-based parent company Birmingham Sports Holdings since October 2016.
    However, fans alarmed by the club’s slump in fortunes, have staged several high-profile protests to highlight the way they feel the club has been mismanaged by absent owners.

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    Lee Bowyer’s side have faced another tough season as the club continues to stagnate on and off the field.
    Fans will be concerned by Bassini’s previous football record.
    He assumed control of Watford in May 2011 but his 13 months in charge at Vicarage Road was shrouded in financial controversy, before he sold the Hornets to Gino Pozzo.
    In March 2013 an independent disciplinary commission found Bassini guilty of misconduct and dishonesty over financial dealings on behalf of Watford.
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    He was subsequently banned from being involved in a position of authority with any Football League club for three years. 
    However, that has not diminished his desire to return to football after being previously linked with unsuccessful attempts to buy Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic and Charlton Athletic.
    The EFL will be keen to avoid further controversy with club ownership following the dire situation with Derby County’s ongoing ownership saga. More

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    EFL forced to release statement over failed Derby takeover by Chris Kirchner with league ‘increasingly concerned’

    THE English Football League has released a damning statement after Chris Kirchner missed the deadline to buy Derby.EFL chiefs admit they are becoming “increasingly concerned” about the Rams’ immediate future.
    The EFL has released a statement after Chris Kirchner’s failed takeover of DerbyCredit: PA
    And they are ready to become more involved in the club’s dealings with possible buyers ahead of the new League One season.
    American businessman Kirchner did not make Friday’s deadline to buy Derby, despite having loaned £1.6million to help cover running costs and wages.
    The proof of funds for the takeover was meant to be submitted by 5pm.
    And administrators have now asked for clarification on how the club will move forward, with other suitors including Mike Ashley interested.
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    Derby players and boss Wayne Rooney are said to be “extremely concerned” going forward.
    But the EFL insists it will up its involvement in any talks between administrators Quantuma and possible buyers to move things forward quickly.
    A statement read: “The EFL has today informed the Administrators at Derby County that following the failure of Mr Chris Kirchner to conclude a sale of the Club, it is changing the terms of the suspended Notice of Withdrawal issued when the Club entered into administration in September 2021.
    “The League is increasingly concerned that the ongoing delays in the sale process now present a real risk to the integrity of next season’s competition, with the 2022/23 fixture list due to be released in less than two weeks, and need to act now in the best interests of the EFL.
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    “The suspension of the Notice of Withdrawal of the Club’s share in the EFL is subject to conditions that, in accordance with the League’s insolvency policy, the EFL Board determine and given the lack of progress by the Administrators to finalise a transaction, it now considers it appropriate to revise the conditions of suspension. 
    “As a result, the EFL has informed the Administrators that there will be a revision to the conditions attached to the suspension and the EFL is now to be made a party to all correspondence and discussions between the Administrators, and any and all potential bidders, with an acknowledgment that the League will be able to negotiate directly in relation to matters concerning the transfer of the share in the EFL.”
    Chief executive Trevor BIrch added: “Following this latest setback for the Club and its fans, it is vitally important that a sale of the Club is concluded at the earliest opportunity and we want to ensure that this objective is achieved.  
    “Up until now we have provided the Administrators with the time and opportunity to manage the sale process.
    “But with the long stop date on the asset purchase agreement and the membership agreement now passed, further urgent proactive action is required in order to do whatever is possible to secure the Club’s future as a continuing member of the EFL.” More

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    Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag ‘determined’ to keep Eric Ramsay as Neil Warnock receives boost in chase for Barnsley job

    ERIK TEN HAG is eager to keep Eric Ramsay at Manchester United, according to reports.The 30-year-old was brought onboard as a first team coach at Old Trafford a year ago.
    Eric Ramsay joined United’s first team staff under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a year agoCredit: Getty
    Erik ten Hag is shaping his new coaching staffCredit: EPA
    He has recently been the subject of interest from League One Barnsley, with the Tykes looking to replace sacked boss Poya Asbaghi following their relegation from the Championship.
    Of United’s previous regime, Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna have both left in the last year, with the latter taking charge of League One Ipswich.
    Interim boss Ralf Rangnick has also departed, as well as his assistant Chris Armas.
    Mike Phelan has been deemed surplus to requirements, but Ten Hag wants Ramsay to join his staff that will include assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and Sir Alex Ferguson’s former No2 Steve McClaren.
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    Ramsay already possesses an impressive coaching CV.
    He worked as an Under-23s coach at Chelsea prior to joining United, having also worked for the Welsh FA, as well as Shrewsbury and Swansea.
    Ramsay is multi-lingual, speaking French and Spanish.
    Should he decide to stick around at Old Trafford, Barnsley will have to look elsewhere for a new boss.
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    According to SunSport’s Alan Nixon, Neil Warnock would be interested in coming out of retirement to take charge at Oakwell.
    The 73-year-old retired earlier this year following his stint at Middlesbrough, but has reversed such decisions in the past.
    In addition to Ramsay and Warnock, Barnsley have been linked with Cheltenham manager Mike Duff and Burton Albion’s Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
    Neil Warnock is being linked with yet another return to managementCredit: AP More

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    American millionaire Chris Kirchner faces losing £1.6M MILLION if Derby takeover fails as Mike Ashley shows interest

    AMERICAN businessman Chris Kirchner faces the loss of a £1.6 million payment if he misses out on the chase for Derby County.Kirchner is currently trying to clear a £21.4 million payment to secure ownership of Wayne Rooney’s club but can be beaten to the deal by rivals after losing his exclusivity.
    Chris Kirchner faces losing out on £1.6million if someone else takes over DerbyCredit: Getty
    But in the meantime Kirchner has paid in the funds that sorted out the club’s wages last month when they risked losing three points NEXT season.
    Kirchner originally attempted to transfer his funds on May 27, in time to pay administrators Quantuma and cover the payroll.
    When the initial anti money-laundering check problems arose it meant the money would be too late to pay those bills and mean a suspended EFL penalty kicked in.
    Derby have a three point punishment hanging over them after they failed to pay on time a couple of years ago.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}FEEL THE BYRNE .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Derby facing fight to keep Byrne with Stoke and Millwall in transfer tussle
    Kirchner entered a quick loan pledge that allowed the administrators to instantly pay the funds.
    As a result Kirchner cannot get that money back if he is beaten to the purchase of the club.
    Kirchner is waiting on his latest transfer being cleared.
    It was sent from his personal bank on Monday evening American East Coast time and its arrival date is still unknown.
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    The frustrated bidder is trying to send the same sum by another route as the race is on in earnest..
    Mike Ashley is interested in buying Derby but may be reluctant to match the money needed.
    Former Wolves owner Steve Morgan is also in the race but yet to show his cash.
    Two other parties have been in touch with the admins and also the incoming buyers of Pride Park to establish the costs of leasing the ground.
    Derby’s next crunch date is at the end of month when Rooney and his players bare due to be paid.
    American financiers MSD Holdings may have to pay them but this adds to the overall bill and they will need to be sure that there is a buyer. More

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    Carlisle complete transfer for tallest player in England after signing 6ft 9in giant keeper Tomas Holy

    CARLISLE UNITED have completed the signing of gigantic goalie Tomas Holy – who is the TALLEST player in English football.The 6ft 9in ‘keeper, who is the same height as WBC heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and two inches taller than Peter Crouch, has signed a two-year contract at Brunton Park.
    Carlisle United have signed the EFL’s tallest footballer Tomas HolyCredit: Twitter @officialcufc
    The former Ipswich goalkeeper stands at a whopping 6ft 9in tallCredit: Getty
    The former Czech youth international, 30, who is the tallest player in the top four divisions, joins the League Two club after being released by Ipswich Town.
    He played 65 league games for the Tractor Boys but found himself out of favour last season and headed to both Cambridge United and Port Vale on loan.
    Carlisle boss Paul Simpson said: “He’s a keeper I’ve known about for years.
    “He’s done really well at Ipswich, and he’s had a couple of good loans.
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    “Obviously when I found out he was being released and available, I knew it was something I’d be interested in.”
    Holy was at Sparta Prague as a youngster but was brought to England by Gillingham, spending 18 months there before joining Ipswich in 2019.
    Brighton’s 6ft 6in Kjell Scherpen is currently the tallest player in the Premier League – but the strapping stopper would still be left looking up to Holy.
    And even Newcastle United defender Dan Burn, who also stands a whopping 6ft 6in, would be dwarfed by the new Carlisle star.
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    However, big boy Holy still has some growing to do to catch up to non-league Simon Bloch Jorgensen.
    The 29-year-old Dane previously played for Accrington Stanley in the 2017/18 campaign, making just one appearance in the EFL Cup, but is now playing for Waltham Abbey in the Southern League Division One Central.
    He holds the honour of being the tallest footballer in the world at a humongous 6ft 10.5in.
    And Solihull Moors striker Kyle Hudlin, 21, has just missed out on joining Holy as being the joint-tallest in the EFL.
    The 6ft 9in frontman and his side were defeated by Grimsby Town at Wembley in the National League play-off final on Sunday.
    Solihull Moors striker Kyle Hudlin almost joined Tomas Holy as the EFL’s joint-biggest playerCredit: Rex More

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    Brennan Johnson has unfinished family business as he bids to fire Forest into Prem… after legend dad David failed to

    BRENNAN JOHNSON hopes to make dad David proud today by finishing some unfinished family business.Nottingham Forest legend David Johnson, 45, has always been gutted he could not shoot the club back into the Premier League when they lost in the play-off semi-finals to Sheffield United back in 2003.
    Brennan Johnson celebrates Forest’s shootout triumph with keeper Brice Samba
    David Johnson with his son Brennan who has followed in his Forest footsteps
    Johnson snr scored twice but they got edged out 5-4 on aggregate.
    But 19 years later his boy also netted twice against the Blades — only this time they prevailed after winning a thrilling tie on penalties — and today only Huddersfield stand in their way of returning to the top flight after 23 years.
    And Johnson snr told SunSport: “Wembley is the mecca of world football and I’m going to be so nervous watching Brennan playing there in front of almost 90,000.
    “It’s been tough watching him play because I can’t control anything. I just tell him, ‘Express yourself and enjoy it.’ Then everything is down to him.
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    “If it’s anything to go by last Tuesday night at the City Ground against Sheffield United it’s going to be an horrendous 90 minutes to watch.
    “When you’re in such a huge arena at such a young age in a big occasion, it’s tough. But Brennan can’t wait and this could be a defining moment in his career.”
    Johnson Jr netted in the first leg in a 2-1 win over the Blades and put Forest 3-1 up on aggregate early on in the second leg but a stunning comeback brought the scores back to 3-3 before keeper Brice Samba saved three penalties in the shootout.
    And his dad, who came through the Manchester United ranks with the likes of David Beckham, said: “Brennan has never been nervous before but he told me that the second half and extra-time was the worst experience he has had.
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    Young Brennan Johnson (second left) with his dad as one of the Forest mascots
    Brennan Johnson and his proud dad and Forest legend David Johnson
    David Johnson and the SkyBet Championship play-off trophy
    “That just shows you that the occasion at times can take over you.”
    Johnson Sr believes Forest will prevail against a Huddersfield team who will try to spoil their opponents’ attacking football.
    He said: “I think we’ll do it. We’ll play on the front foot and play exciting football. Hopefully the big pitch will exploit the gaps behind Huddersfield. Forest have the goals in their team and I’m predicting a 2-1 win.”
    Whatever happens today, it’s been an excellent breakthrough season for his son. 

    After spending last season on loan at Lincoln, where he lost at Wembley in the League One play-off final to Blackpool, Johnson jnr has been one of the stars of a stunning campaign which has seen the team rise from bottom of the table to today’s final since Steve Cooper took charge in September.
    And his dad explained: “Steve worked out Brennan’s personality quickly. He’s quiet and laid back — and you don’t really have to say much to him
    “They have their one-on-ones and he wants to learn. But sometimes when he hasn’t been playing well, he has to give Brennan a look to say, ‘come on, up your game’.
    “Brennan has virtually played every game and they have that trust between them. So if his level drops, the manager will let him know.”
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}NO KIDDING .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}I rushed son to A&E after finding ‘hole’ in mouth & then realised huge blunder
    For a local boy like Johnson, promotion will be huge and his dad added: “It’s a club defining moment. It’ll literally change the face of Nottingham to be back in the Premier League.
    “It’s make-or-break. It’s that big and this is an opportunity they can’t miss — but the desire of Brennan and all the players to make history will be there.”DAVID JOHNSON was speaking on behalf of EFL sponsor Sky Bet as part of their Step Up campaign. More

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    Mansfield 0 Port Vale 3: Valiants promoted to League One after hammering ten-man rivals in Wembley thumping

    THE last time Port Vale won at Wembley Oh Carolina by Shaggy was topping the charts.But today they ended a THIRTY-YEAR wait to win on the hallowed turf and clinch promotion to League One to the joy of their celebrity fan Robbie Williams.
    Darrell Clarke and Co lift the trophyCredit: Getty
    Mal Benning celebrates Port Vale’s clincherCredit: Rex
    The pop star singer will be performing for the first time in his home town in front of 20,000 packed into Vale Park next Saturday — and what a party that is going to be after their glorious afternoon under the arch.
    The Valiants ran riot and were two goals up after 24 minutes with goals from Kian Harratt and James Wilson.
    And Mal Benning brilliantly volleyed home the third with five minutes left.
    Oli Hawkins ruined any chance of a Mansfield comeback after his 35th-minute sending off for two bookings.
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    The defender has been a walking yellow card all season and at Wembley he took his tally to the season to a staggering 16 — both of which were needless.
    Quite what he was doing when he decided to push Nathan Smith in the box after tugging his shirt for the first and then he took Wilson out with a late challenge which he did not even need to make.
    Vale have now returned to the third tier after five seasons out.
    Boss Darrell Clarke — who was given compassionate leave in February after a close member of his family died in February — only returned to work earlier this month after his 18-year-old daughter Ellie passed away.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    And both sets of fans organised a minute’s applause in the eighth minute in solidarity of the Vale boss.
    Mansfield almost went in front in the ninth minute after a piece of shocking defending from James Gibbons
    As the ball was swung across, he looked set to make a regulation clearance but somehow left it after a miscommunication between him and his keeper.
    And the ball bounced into the path of Jamie Murphy, whose header was superbly kept out by Aidan Stone.
    It was a sitter for the Mansfield attacker. He should have put it away from six yards.
    Port Vale were looking so shaky and a poor header back towards Stone saw the keeper having to race out to beat the on-rushing Rhys Oates.
    But the Valiants went closest to opening the scoring when Ben Garrity set up Harratt and from just outside the box smacked an effort against the inside of the right post.
    Yet he made no mistake in the 20th minute by firing them in front.
    Mal Benning rampaged on the right and Harratt stooped to head home his cross from just six yards.
    Vale suddenly had the Stags shaking and Gibbons crashed an effort just over.
    However, the lead was doubled.
    David Worrall’s crossed was met by another Garrity header which this time bounced back off the bar — only for James Wilson to nod home the rebound for his 15th goal of the season.
    Port Vale were on the rampage and were denied a third when Jake Taylor played a glorious ball to send Benning on his way — but his fierce effort was beaten away by Nathan Bishop.
    And the Stags chances of getting back into the game were pretty much ended in the 35th minute when Hawkins was sent off.
    But incredibly Mansfield almost pulled one back when Stone fluffed a cross and Oates looked to have scored but Conor Hall was there to clear off the line.
    Goaline technology showed that only one eighth of the ball did not cross the line.
    Wilson then saw a free kick in first-half stoppage time kept out by Nathan Bishop.
    Harratt thought he had netted a third after the break when he slotted in after Bishop had spilled a Wilson shot — but he had strayed offside.
    Then Harry Charsley has one ruled out after he also ran offside before collecting Benning’s pass and firing home.
    Stone made a top save to stop Mansfield clawing themselves back into the game.
    George Harris laid a lovely ball into Oates, whose deflected shot was turned around the post by the keeper.
    And Oates then saw another effort flash wide.
    But it was game, set and match when Benning volleyed home from a wonderful cross from David Worrall.
    It was a wonderful finish — especially when you consider he raced 20 yards to connect with the cross.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}NO KIDDING .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}I rushed son to A&E after finding ‘hole’ in mouth & then realised huge blunder
    As ref Jarred Gillett blew it sparked wild celebrations among the 17,000 Vale fans.
    The Valiants are going up and under Clarke as manager you would not bet against them doing better than simply just staying up. More

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    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale LIVE SCORE: Hawkins given RED CARD for Stags with Vale cruising in League Two play-off final

    PORT VALE have one foot in League One after completely dominating the League Two play-off final so far against Mansfield.Headers from Kian Harratt and James Wilson gave Vale a two-goal lead before Oli Hawkins was sent off for the Stags.

    TV channel: Sky Sports Football
    Live stream: Sky Go/ Now TV
    Mansfield XI: Bishop, Hewitt, Perch, Hawkins, McLaughlin, O’Toole, Longstaff, Quinn, Murphy, Oates, Bowery
    Port Vale XI: Stone, Gibbons, Hall, Smith, Worrall, Garrity, Wilson, Benning, Taylor, Pett, Harratt

    Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    46 No changes from either side as we kick off second half.
    Bit of a surprise for Mansfield following a poor first half, but Clough stands by his guns
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    PEEP!
    And off we go again at Wembley!
    Stats
    Mansfield Town experienced a terrible first half even though they dominated 55 per cent of possession.
    Mansfield registered two shots, both of which were on target thanks to Port Vale goalkeeper Aidan Stone’s errors.
    Vale, on the other hand, produced a total of 12 shots throughout the first half.
    But only four of them were on target, two of which were goals
    HT: Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    Port Vale are in pole position for League One promotion as they are ahead by two goals against Mansfield Town, who experienced a terrible first half at Wembley.
    Vale opened the scoring with Kian Harratt on 20 minutes, shortly after he hit the bar.
    Mal Benning got an incredible pass from midfield down the left flank and crossed to Harratt, who scored with an incredible diving header.
    The Valiants doubled their lead with James Wilson just four minutes later.
    David Worrall got the ball down the right and had all the space as well as time in the world to do whatever he wanted as Mansfield were caught out in the wings once more.
    Worrall delivered a cross that saw Ben Garrity heading it off the crossbar, but Wilson was there for the rebound and headed it to the back of Nathan Bishop’s net.
    Things got even worse for Nigel Clough’s team as Oliver Hawkins was sent off on 35 minutes, just four minutes after his first yellow card, following a late challenge on Wilson
    Credit: GETTY IMAGES
    HT: Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    PEEP!
    And first half is mercifully over for Mansfield!
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    45+6 CHANCE!
    Port Vale come close again as Wilson’s low shot from the edge of the area is saved by Bishop!
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    45+5 WHAT A CHANCE!
    Port Vale ace Wilson takes on the free-kick after Perch’s foul and yellow card.
    He comes agonisingly close to a brace as his beautiful curling shot from the edge of the box just misses Bishop’s bottom right corner
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    45+4 YELLOW CARD
    Mansfield captain Perch gets booked after a late challenge on Garrity.
    This half needs to end urgently for the Stags!
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    45+3 Port Vale continue to dominate and look like they want a third.
    Mansfield just want the first half to end already
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    45+1 CHANCE
    Port Vale ace Smith gets a header after a long cross from a free-kick but sends it wide
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    45 Five more minutes of added time to go.
    Taylor is still down and receiving treatment after Hewitt’s horrendous challenge
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    44 YELLOW CARD
    Ouch!
    Mansfield ace Hewitt gets booked after a nasty collision with Taylor!
    The Stags defender practically kicked his opponent, who goes down screaming, and could have been sent off!
    If only I was a fly in the wall during Clough’s half-time speech!
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    42 WHAT A CHANCE!
    Mansfield almost get back into the game!
    Port Vale keeper Stone gets sloppy again as the ball slips off his hands.
    That sets Oates who shoots from close range but the ball is cleared on the goal line by Hall!
    Desperately close!
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    40 Mansfield ace Hawkins was very emotional on his way out of the pitch.
    The defender was sent off after two yellows inside four minutes!
    Credit: GETTY IMAGES

    Credit: GETTY IMAGES
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    38 Mansfield boss Clough has a lot of work to do at half-time.
    First, he needs to find way to score at least twice with 10 men.
    Second, he needs to have a word with his full-backs who are constantly caught out and allow all the space and time in the wold for Port Vale’s players down the wings
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    35 RED CARD!
    Oh dear, it keeps getting worse for Mansfield!
    Hawkins knocks Wilson with a late challenge that may have seen him using his studs as well!
    Horrible and reckless challenge that!
    Mansfield will play the rest of the final with 10 players and two goals down after a horrible first half
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    34 CHANCE!
    Port Vale want a third before half-time!
    Taylor dribbles past two Mansfield players with a Zidane-esque dribble in midfield and beautifully curls it into Benning down the left flank.
    The full-back has all the space and time in the world and shoots from a tight angle but Bishop saves it
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    32 CHANCE
    Port Vale ace Wilson tries a confident Zlatan-esque shot from the edge of the box but sends it wide
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    31 YELLOW CARD
    Mansfield ace Hawkins picks the first booking of the match for a rough challenge
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    30 Mansfield are back to pressing Port Vale like they did before Harratt’s opener.
    The Stags need a goal before the break to set the pace in the second half
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    28 In just less than five minutes Port Vale have one foot firmly place on League One.
    Vale have Harratt and Wilson to thank for this, but we still have a long game to go
    Credit: GETTY IMAGES

    Credit: GETTY IMAGES
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    25 Port Vale are making a strong case for League One!
    Mansfield have a mountain of a task ahead of them!
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    24 Incredible, absolutely magnificent! Port Vale are dominating!
    Worrall gets the ball down the right and has all the space and time in the world to do whatever he wants as Mansfield are caught out.
    He delivers a cross that sees Garrity heading it off the crossbar.
    But Wilson is there for the rebound and heads it to the back of Bishop’s net
    Mansfield 0-2 Port Vale
    24 GOAL!
    Port Vale double their lead with Wilson!
    Mansfield 0-1 Port Vale
    23 Wembley is absolutely rocking right now!
    Mansfield look dazed
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