Bristol City promoted: Robins batter Bradford 6-0 to seal promotion from League One to the Championship

James Tavernier scores twice with the other goals coming from Joe Bryan, Luke Ayling, Aden Flint and Aaron Wilbraham

Bristol City players celebrate their promotion to the Championship (PA)

Bristol City became the first side in the Football League to win promotion as they booked their place in next season's Sky Bet Championship by battering Bradford 6-0.

The Robins reached 92 points with their 27th league victory of the season at Valley Parade thanks to James Tavernier's brace and further goals from Joe Bryan, Luke Ayling, Aden Flint and Aaron Wilbraham.

Tavernier, who went up as a Rotherham player out of League One last year, fired in the opener after his initial effort was blocked before Bryan jumped highest to double Bristol City's advantage.

Ayling's fortuitous effort made it 3-0 after the break, Flint then headed a free-kick home, Tavernier stabbed in his second and Wilbraham rolled home a sixth to seal victory and promotion.

Bristol City celebrate their promotion to the Championship (PA)

Second-placed Preston's quest to join them in the second tier hit a snag after they were held to a 2-2 draw against Gillingham, who grabbed an equaliser in stoppage time through Leon Legge.

Jermaine Beckford's 10th goal in his past 19 appearances and Callum Robinson's effort had put North End two goals up, but Jermaine McGlashan and Legge left the Deepdale faithful despondent.

Across Lancashire, MK Dons closed the gap on Simon Grayson's men to three points as Lewis Baker, Will Grigg and Dele Alli were on target in the 3-0 victory over Fleetwood.

Swindon remain in the automatic promotion hunt too following a 4-2 win at Rochdale, who have still never beaten the Robins at Spotland.

A hat-trick from Ben Gladwin and Michael Smith's strike had put Swindon 4-0 ahead before Ian Henderson's penalty and Nathan Thompson's own goal prevented the hosts from suffering a thrashing.

Manager Steve Cotterill celebrates Bristol City's promotion to the Championship (PA)

Dale fell seven points behind Chesterfield as they strengthened their grip on the final play-off spot by hammering Colchester 6-0.

Gary Roberts and Sam Clucas both claimed doubles and Dan Gardner and Jimmy Ryan also found the net to give the Spireites breathing room in sixth position.

At the other end of the table, Crewe were the only one of the sides on 47 points to pick up anything, with a 1-1 draw at Peterborough enough to move them out of the bottom four.

Lauri Dalla Valle's goal had put the Alex ahead before Conor Washington's equaliser stopped Steve Davis' side earning three points on the road.

Crawley replaced the Railwaymen in the relegation zone as they were thumped 5-0 by Walsall, Jordy Hiwula bagging a brace and Kieron Morris, Andy Taylor and Jordan Cook all scoring too.

Rob Jones' header gave Doncaster a 1-0 triumph over Leyton Orient, and while the O's avoided slipping into the bottom four, they were joined on 47 points by Notts County.

Ricardo Moniz's first home game in charged ended in a 1-1 draw with Barnsley, Hungarian Balint Bajner rescuing a share of the spoils in stoppage time following Sam Winnall's early opener for the Tykes.

Already relegated Yeovil claimed a first win of the Paul Sturrock era as Stephen Arthurworrey got the winner in a 1-0 success over fifth-placed Sheffield United.

Elsewhere, late goals denied Oldham and Port Vale 1-0 away wins over Coventry and Scunthorpe.

Sky Blues defender Reda Johnson cancelled out Danny Philliskirk's effort in the midlands, while Kyle Wootton's header in the fifth minute of stoppage time for the Iron levelled an earlier goal from Richard Duffy.

PA