Exeter earn promotion to Football League following five-year absence

A goal by Rob Edwards midway through the first half ensured that Devon's quota of League clubs is now back up to two and exorcised the Wembley demons of a year ago for Paul Tisdale's side.

Choking in the Conference Final against Morecambe after taking the lead was hard enough to bear on the long four-hour trek home last May. Had history repeated itself again yesterday, they might not have gone back at all.

Thankfully, for those bedecked in red and white, it was Cambridge who froze on this occasion, lifting themselves out of their fright only in the final 20 minutes when the match was all but beyond them. In contrast, Tisdale's men were relaxed, treating it as an ordinary match day rather than an occasion. The attitude worked a treat.

A delighted Tisdale said: "It was the players' choice not to wear suits today to make it more like a normal game. I like to give them the ability to influence things. 'Last year, we watched our opponents take to the steps and lift the cup and you have to believe you can come back. We get to move on now and continue to improve ourselves."

Wembley sensibly decided to close the upper tier yesterday, ensuring that the 42,000 crowd packed into the lower decks created an atmosphere almost as vibrant and colourful as the Portsmouth and Cardiff fans had managed 24 hours earlier. Where Saturday's finalists had positively beamed upon being presented to Sir Bobby Robson, the meet-and-greet yesterday consisted of a polite handshake with the chairman of the Football Conference and marketing manager of league sponsors Blue Square.

It mattered not, because this match was about the result, not the occasion. Watching your team at Wembley means next to nothing if promotion is not won, especially when defeat extends your exile in the non-league wilderness.

For Exeter, that had been five seasons. For Cambridge, it will now be at least four. It is status, not financial salvation that awaits the winner of this particular play-off final: entry into the Carling Cup, direct entry into the FA Cup and the right to call yourself a member of the 92 Football League clubs.

Exeter always looked the side more comfortable in the surroundings. A Dean Moxey free-kick after six minutes was flicked on and almost led to Richard Logan heading them in front. The same routine put them ahead in the 22nd minute, with Edwards stooping to nod home at the far post.

Cambridge did not genuinely threaten until 16 minutes from time. Exeter keeper Paul Jones dropped a free-kick and United defender Mark Peters was first to react, but his shot was gratefully hacked off the line by Matt Taylor.

Disappointed Cambridge boss Jimmy Quinn said: "The better team won. We've had a marvellous season but we were miles off it today."