SAINTS have rubber-stamped their promotion to the Championship with a stylish win over Walsall.

Nigel Adkins' men recorded their ninth straight home victory to ensure they finished second in League One.

Superb goals from Guly do Prado, David Connolly and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave Saints a 3-1 triumph at St Mary's, guaranteeing they could not be caught by third-placed Huddersfield Town.

Jubilant fans poured onto the pitch to mob players after the final whistle.

Saints went into yesterday's final games of the season three points clear of the Terriers, but knowing that with a vastly superior goal difference, there was virtually no realistic chance of them being overtaken.

Huddersfield, who were held 4-4 at home to Brentford, will now face Saints' south coast rivals Bournemouth in the play-offs, which start next weekeend.

Finishing second with 92 points means Saints escape League One after two seasons.

It is the first promotion for the club in 33 years.

For all the reaction and pictures to Saints promotion, don't miss Monday's Daily Echo.