The result ends Salford City’s promotion bid, while Notts County’s success keeps them on course for a League One return; attendance and emotions around the ownership group were part of the occasion.

Paterson called the Wembley win the most complete performance of the season for Notts County and spoke about the emotional toll of his first full year as head coach.

Paterson praised his players’ performance and highlighted the team’s desire and effort, stressing the extreme heat as a backdrop to a demanding campaign.

Salford showed moments of threat, including a late first-half booking for Haji Mnonga and a late save by Belshaw, but could not overturn the deficit, while penalty appeals were denied.

Notts County sealed promotion back to League One by beating Salford 3-0 in the League Two playoff final, with Jodi Jones delivering the decisive third goal and setting up Alassana Jatta for the opener as Lucas Ness added a second before the break.

Ness extended the lead with a first-time header from a Rod McDonald free-kick just before halftime, while Jatta opened the scoring with a 32nd-minute header from a Jones cross following a Jetta through-ball, marking his 17th goal of the season.

County dominated proceedings in around 37-degree heat, controlling the game from early on and using fast breaks and set-pieces to stretch the lead.

Paterson, the Notts County manager, reflected on the emotional and exhausting first full year as head coach, using the Wembley triumph to underline the club’s progress.

Salford’s manager Karl Robinson admitted his team failed to perform on the big stage, noting a workmanlike performance that did not rise to the occasion, with heat possibly contributing but not used as an excuse.

Wembley hosted notable appearances by Beckham and former Salford owners Gary Neville and Nicky Butt, drawing mixed reactions from supporters and underscoring Salford’s high-profile ownership.

Notts County’s rise to League One paints a redemption arc for a club backed by Danish owners focused on data analytics, having climbed from non-league status in 2023.