LONDON, May 24 (Reuters) - Preston North End ended their playoff hoodoo at the 10th attempt when they crushed Swindon Town 4-0 in the League One final at Wembley on Sunday to win promotion to the Championship after four seasons away.
Jermaine Beckford spearheaded the victory by sweeping in from close-range in the third minute before completing his hat-trick after 57 minutes.
Paul Huntington also scored as Preston, who finished third in the table behind Bristol City and Milton Keynes Dons, sealed promotion after six semi-final and three final defeats across three divisions in the last 26 years.