Former Doncaster Rovers favourite on verge of promotion just one month into first management job

Billy Paynter – a Doncaster player between 2012 and 2014 – has guided Runcorn Linnets to the Northern Premier League Division One West play-off final.

The best photos remembering Doncaster Rovers’ famous promotion win at Brentford's expense 10 years on

They take on Workington on Saturday with a place in English football's seventh tier at stake.

Ex-striker Paynter, now 38, joined Runcorn’s coaching staff at the start of the current season, having previously coached at Port Vale.

He replaced Dave Wild as boss in March following his dismissal “over matters of gross misconduct”, the club said in a statement.

No further details were provided.

Runcorn finished fifth in the regular season and beat Leek Town 3-1 in the play-off semi-final.

Paynter has won four, drawn two and lost two of his eight games in charge.

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He scored 14 goals for Rovers across two seasons and famously assisted James Coppinger’s goal which sealed the 2012/13 League One title 10 years ago today.