by Michael McCann at Wembley

A Jermain Beckford hat-trick helped Preston North End defeat Swindon Town 4-0 in the League One play-off final at Wembley and gain promotion to the Championship.

North End scored twice in the first 15 minutes through excellent crosses by Paul Gallagher firstly to Jermaine Beckford, then Paul Huntingdon, to score.

Beckford then struck either side of half-time through two placed left-footed shots to ensure victory, as Swindon had good spells but failed to convert them into chances.

Preston finished 10 points ahead of their opponents in the regular season and were deserving of the win which completed their first successful play-off campaign in 10 attempts.

North End led in the third minute as a right-footed cross from Gallagher was hooked in by Beckford despite being pulled backwards by Nathan Thompson. The defender injured himself in the process and was replaced by Samuel Ricketts.

Gallagher provided another assist in a similar fashion 10 minutes later with a teasing cross which Huntingdon side-footed home unmarked from close range as Michael Smith lost the the former Newcastle centre-half.

Thereafter Swindon had the majority of possession, whilst North End lost Gallagher, a valuable creative outlet who had assisted twice so superbly, to injury and was replaced by Alan Browne.

The Robins finally created a chance two minutes before the interval as Nathan Byrne crossed from the right for Smith. The striker lost Neil Kilkenny but could only head wide of the far post from eight yards out.

The Robins were punished for that miss a minute later as North End, who had been often utilising Beckford and Joe Garner in a direct approach to relieve pressure, scored through this method.

A long punt from goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was headed on by Garner for Beckford, who beat Jordan Turnbull with some quick feet before curling a left-footed shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Beckford nearly sealed his hat-trick early in the second-half as his low shot well saved by Wes Foderingham to his right, before finally netting his third just before the hour mark. The ex-Everton striker was through again and slotted in left-footed across the keeper after a precise through ball from Joe Garner.

Swindon made two substitutions in vain while for Preston Beckford went off injured to a standing ovation, with Kevin Davies coming on.

This hat-trick performance from Beckford was comparable, in finishing and work-rate, to when the striker scored the only goal to give Leeds victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford in January 2010.

Full-time saw Preston celebrate avenging three previous play-off final defeats, with a run of just one defeat in their last 20 games helping them secure a return to the Championship.