Doncaster Rovers beat Leeds United 1-0 in the League One playoff final to reach the top two divisions for the first time in 50 years.

James Hayter scored a diving header on 47 minutes - his first goal since January - as Sean O'Driscoll's side shaded the Wembley showpiece.

Rovers narrowly missed out on automatic promotion after finishing third in the table, and their victory ensures Leeds pay the price for their 15-point penalty that cost them a place in the top two.

Doncaster join Swansea City and Nottingham Forest in the Championship, and can look forward to matches against the likes of Birmingham, Reading, Watford and Sheffield United next season.

Despite Leeds fans dominating an impressive crowd - many occupying areas supposedly allocated to their opponents - Doncaster made the faster start.

Jason Price blasted over after fine work by Paul Green down the Rovers right, while on nine minutes Leeds keeper Casper Ankergren made a brilliant save to deny James Coppinger.

Ankergren was called into action just a minute later, rushing out to claim the ball bravely from the feet of Hayter, before catching another tricky cross.

Leeds slowly clawed their way back into the game, in particular through Jermaine Beckford whose pace and control will have attracted the attention of bigger clubs.

However, the young striker continued to fire weakly at Leeds old boy Neil Sullivan or missed the target altogether.

At the other end it was a similar story for Hayter, who looked to have a simple chance when defender Lubos Michalik slipped. However, an awful first touch cost him dearly and Ankergren tidied up yet again.

Doncaster started the second half as strongly as they did the first, and soon won a dangerous free-kick 25 yards out.

Neil Kilkenny clearly broke the wall early to charge down Coppinger's shot but was not penalised by referee Andy D'Urso.

However, justice of a sort was done as the resultant corner came in and Hayter met it with a superb header that not even Ankergren could keep out.

The expected Leeds onslaught never came. Beckford forced two more saves from Sullivan and Jonathan Douglas volleyed just wide, but Doncaster continued to control the game.

If anything, the margin of victory should have been greater, with Coppinger squandering a glorious one-on-one opportunity.

Alex Chick / Eurosport