The referee for the second leg was 1981 FA Cup final referee and Sheffield &amp; Hallamshire County Football Association representative Keith Hackett. Port Vale manager John Rudge announced an unchanged team from the eleven that held Bristol Rovers to a 1–1 draw in the first leg. Francis was also able to name the same starting line-up for Bristol Rovers as the 13-man squad all passed fitness tests. The first half finished goalless despite large periods of pressure from Port Vale, with Martyn in good form in the Bristol Rovers goal. Martyn saved a strike from Dean Glover, whilst Beckford and Earle both came close to taking the lead. The second half saw the "MBE" combination (a Simon Mills corner, flicked on by Beckford and knocked into the net by Earle) pay off, resulting in an Earle headed goal in the 52nd minute; it was his nineteenth goal of the season and fourth headed goal against Bristol Rovers that season. It was to prove the only goal of the match as Port Vale controlled the remainder of the game and a celebratory pitch invasion ensued. "The Guardian"'s Stephen Bierley did not enjoy the match and his only praise for Bristol Rovers was that they "did as little as possible to threaten the status quo, winning much praise from everybody by not forcing extra-time to extend the tedium". In contrast, "The Observer" Derek Wallis reported that "Rovers... played some delightful football but they were unable to penetrate a resolute defence... in which West and Glover needed to be constantly alert". With the play-offs still a relatively new concept, both managers and some journalists were highly critical of the idea and agreed that Port Vale had deserved their promotion after finishing the league campaign in third place.