WANDERERS are the 2017/18 Development League champions after a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Stephen McKenna and Dennis Politic were on target at the City Ground to complete a memorable season for David Lee’s side, who had already claimed the northern section title.

Forest sub Danny Preston caused a few nerves with a header 13 minutes from time – but Wanderers held firm to lift the trophy, even without their top scorer Connor Hall, who was pulled out of the squad presumably with the first team’s must-win game on Sunday in mind.

McKenna took just seven minutes to open the scoring, running on to Jeff King’s through-ball before lashing the ball past Liam Bossin.

James Aspinall made a good save at his near post to preserve the advantage, pushing aside Brennan Johnson’s stinging shot – and the Wanderers keeper also had to be alert to keep out efforts from Toby Esder and Virgil Gomis.

Jeff King and Cole Lonsdale both went close to a second for the Whites and they got the goal they were looking for on the stroke of half time as Politic drove at the Forest defence and then unleashed an unstoppable right-footed shot into the top corner.

King could have made it three on the hour, his header pushed over the bar by Bossin – and the midfielder continued his personal battle with the Forest keeper with another effort from distance a few minutes later.

Forest grabbed a goal back when Preston planted Edser’s cross past Aspinall, and from there they threw everything forward.

Jayden Richardson came agonisingly close to forcing the tie into extra time when his header came back off the inside of the post.