REPORT | Dons win promotion back to Championship with play-off final glory

The Dons are heading back to the Betfred Championship after a superb 18-6 win over North Wales Crusaders in the League One Promotion Play-Off Final.

Tries from Mahe Fonua, Loui McConnell and Sam Smeaton saw the Dons through to the victory in front of more than 2,500 people at the Eco-Power Stadium.

For long periods the contest was a real war of attrition, with both sides called upon to show  steel in defence.

But after holding firm for long periods after the break, the Dons turned the screw to secure the win and end their eight year hunt for promotion.

The Dons got off to the perfect start as they opened the scoring on 13 minutes.

After getting another set by the posts, the ball was moved to Fonua, who crashed over, with Connor Robinson converting.

Robinson slotted over a penalty on 22 minutes to give the Dons some breathing space.

North Wales emerged for the second half the stronger side in the early stages and mounted pressure as they sought to cut the deficit.

But, barring a few errors in the early stages of the period, the Dons defended smartly and resolutely - holding their nerve superbly in a third consecutive play-off final.

The long deadlock in scoring was finally broken on 67 minutes as the Dons got the daylight they had been craving and saw their defensive efforts rewarded.

Robinson dummied before charging for the line and finding the support of McConnell who crossed the line unopposed. Robinson added the conversion.

The game was far from over however as the Crusaders got off the mark on 72 minutes.

Toby Hughes clipped through a grubber kick and nipped through a crowd of bodies to collect and score, with Leon Hughes adding the conversion.

But the Dons immediately got back on the front foot and refused to relinquish control.

The win was effectively sealed on 78 minutes when Sam Smeaton went over in the corner for his 21st try of the season after receiving a lay-off from Josh Guzdek. Robinson bounced his conversion out off the post.

And the remaining few minutes were purely academic as the Dons secured their place back in the second tier of rugby league.

Dons: Guzdek, Halliday, Hey, Fonua, Faraimo, Johnston, Robinson, Knowles, Burns, Vete, Smeaton, Ferres, McConnell. Interchanges: Foster, Holdstock, James, Boas.