Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi has scored his 13th goal of the season for Portsmouth and helped the south-coast club to the League One title and promotion to the Championship for next season.
Yengi, the former Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers star, netted after nine minutes against Barnsley and was substituted in the 61st minute at Fratton Park on Tuesday night.
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He watched on as late goals from teammates Colby Bishop and Conor Shaughnessy sealed a 3-2 win and confirmed Pompey's return to English football's second-tier competition after a 12-year absence.
Alex Robertson, the injured Socceroos midfielder on loan from Manchester City, was another keen spectator as Portsmouth edged a step closer to the Premier League, where they were a fixture between 2003-2010.
John Mousinho's men looked set to be frustrated in their search for the single point they needed in order to make certain of promotion. Devante Cole gave Barnsley an early advantage then John McAtee restored the visitors' lead after Yengi's equaliser.
But Bishop levelled from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute and Shaughnessy headed in from a corner six minutes later to put the seal on Pompey's promotion party.
WE ARE GOING UP SAY WE ARE GOING UP!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/7VDWki7zs1
— Portsmouth F(C) 🏆 (@Pompey) April 16, 2024
Third-placed Bolton Wanderers missed the chance to move to within a point of second-placed Derby County as they were held 2-2 at home by 18th-placed Shrewsbury Town. Peterborough United confirmed their place in the playoffs with a 4-1 win over Fleetwood Town, while Cheltenham Town grabbed a priceless 2-1 win at fellow strugglers Burton Albion.
Port Vale are still in deep trouble after a 2-1 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers and Cambridge United are not certain of safety after they fell 1-0 at Bristol Rovers.
