League Two play-off final: Mousinho sends Stevenage up

John Mousinho's superb 41st-minute strike lifted Stevenage into the third tier of English football for the first time in their history as they secured victory over Torquay in the League Two play-off final at Old Trafford yesterday.

The Hertfordshire club had not previously played in the Football League prior to this season, but can now celebrate back-to-back promotions.

Mousinho's powerful 20-yarder proved enough to settle a scrappy affair played in blustery conditions, despite an improved second half from Torquay. The Gulls barely threatened in the first half and could have few complaints at heading into the interval a goal down.

However, Stevenage were largely on the back foot thereafter and Torquay came close to grabbing an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining when Jake Robinson's shot grazed the crossbar.

After kick-off had been delayed by 15 minutes due to traffic congestion, it was Stevenage who enjoyed the better of the opening period. With four minutes of the first half left, they claimed the lead as Mousinho surged towards the edge of the box before drilling a powerful shot across Scott Bevan and into the bottom-left corner.

However, Torquay came close to an immediate leveller when Guy Branston headed wide from a corner.

Boro substitute Darren Murphy missed a wonderful chance to double his side's lead after the break as he failed to connect cleanly with a free header before Robinson struck the bar for Torquay with Chris Day beaten.