Conference Premier roundup: Barnet promoted as champions

By Mark Langshaw, Reporter | 25 April 2015

Sports Mole rounds up the final day of the Conference Premier season as Barnet are promoted back to the Football League and Alfreton Town relegated.

Barnet booked their return to the Football League as Conference Premier champions thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Gateshead this afternoon.

Portuguese youngster Mauro Vilhete found the net twice as the Bees rendered second-placed Bristol Rovers' 7-0 victory over Alfreton Town meaningless in the promotion race.

The Barnet Team celebrate with the trophy after clinching promotion during the Vanarama Football Conference League match between Barnet and Gateshead at The Hive on April 25, 2015 © Getty Images

However, Rovers' emphatic win condemned Alfreton to the Conference Premier's final relegation spot. Southport's 1-0 win at Welling United saw both sides avoid the drop on the final day, the latter on goal difference.

A 1-1 draw for Macclesfield Town at Torquay United was not enough for the Greater Manchester outfit to break into the final playoff spot, which was secured by Forest Green Rovers following their 0-0 draw at Dover Athletic.

Eastleigh will also feature in the playoffs after they came from behind to defeat Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 at home, as will Grimsby Town, who ended the campaign on a high thanks to a 3-1 dismantling of Aldershot Town.

Nuneaton Town were already relegated ahead of their clash with Chester FC, but they finish bottom of the pile after the North West club overturned a 3-1 deficit to win 5-3 in an eight-goal thriller.

Dartford's goalless draw at home to mid-table Lincoln City will have done little to lift their supporters' spirts following a miserable season which they finish second from bottom.

Like Nuneaton and Dartford, AFC Telford United's relegation was already confirmed ahead of their meeting with Wrexham, who dumped more misery on them by running out 2-1 winners.

Meanwhile, Braintree Town defeated Altrincham 4-2 and 10-man Woking scored twice in stoppage time to see off Halifax Town 2-1.

Results in full: Telford 1-2 Wrexham, Barnet 2-0 Gateshead, Braintree Town 4-2 Altrincham, Bristol Rovers 7-0 Alfreton, Chester, 5-3 Nuneaton Town, Dartford 0-0 Lincoln City, Eastleigh 2-1 Kidderminster, Forest Green 0-0 Dover Athletic, Grimsby Town 3-1 Aldershot, Torquay Utd 1-1 Macclesfield, Welling United 0-1, Southport, Woking 3-2 Halifax Town