Jermaine Beckford scored a hat-trick at Wembley as Preston North End beat Swindon Town 4-0 in the League One playoff final to achieve promotion to the Championship.

Jermaine Beckford of Preston North End celebrates after scoring his hat trick during the League One play-off final between Preston North End and Swindon Town at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2015 © Getty Images

The striker broke the deadlock after just two minutes to hand the Lilywhites an early advantage, diverting Paul Gallagher's free kick home from close range.

Swindon were dealt another blow inside the five-minute mark when their captain Nathan Thompson was stretchered off with an injury and replaced by veteran defender Sam Ricketts.

Nathan Thompson of Swindon Town is stretchered off during the League One play-off final between Preston North End and Swindon Town at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2015 © Getty Images

The Robins were seeing plenty of the ball, but they weren't threatening at the other end and soon fell 2-0 behind as Gallagher once more unlocked their defence.

Again it came from the left as the Leicester City loanee curled over a cross that was easily turned home by unmarked centre-back Paul Huntingdon, who scored his 10th goal of the season.

Paul Huntington of Preston North End celebrates after scoring during the League One play-off final between Preston North End and Swindon Town at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2015 © Getty Images

Gallagher's game was ended by injury before half time and Preston added to their tally soon after he left the field.

Swindon could have easily halved the deficit at one end as Michael Smith headed wide from close range and his miss was punished seconds later by Beckford.

The former Everton striker turned his man on the edge of the box before curling into the far corner with his weaker left foot past the helpless Wes Foderingham.

Twelve minutes into the second half it was four as Swindon midfielder Yaser Kasim gave the ball away in midfield and Preston broke with deadly precision.

Joe Garner turned the ball into Beckford's path and he raced away from the Robins' backline before finishing low past Foderingham for his hat-trick.

Jermaine Beckford of Preston North End celebrates with manager Simon Grayson after scoring during the League One play-off final between Preston North End and Swindon Town at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2015 © Getty Images

The Lilywhites' hat-trick hero was forced off with an injury 10 minutes later and his replacement, former Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies, was close to making it five late on.

Jonathan Obika went closest to a Swindon consolation in the dying moments, but Preston keeper Sam Johnstone acrobatically kept his effort out.

Preston return to the second tier after four seasons in League One, while Swindon will be in the third tier for a fourth year in a row next term.