Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored after 18 minutes as he intercepted a clearance and hit a first-time strike into the bottom corner.

Three minutes later, the Dons made it 2-0 as Alex Gilbey picked up Mendez-Laing’s lay-off and curled a strike beyond Marko Marosi.

Tranmere’s Kristian Dennis had a goal disallowed as Rovers briefly rallied, but the hosts made it 3-0 in the 77th minute as Callum Paterson headed in Liam Kelly’s free-kick.

The Dons have returned to the third tier after three seasons in League Two and have also moved top with one game to play, while Tranmere remain 20th and are still waiting to confirm their survival.

MK Dons boss Warne said: “I can’t decide if 3-0 flattered us or not as we nearly conceded a couple of times but could’ve scored numerous more goals. But yeah, I’m really pleased.

“Tranmere didn’t give up and Pete’s got them organised and fighting for him, which is impressive, but in the end, the game, we did end up winning handsomely.

“I’m really proud of the fact I got another promotion and my mum, daughter, son and wife were all here. But I’m just so pleased and buzzing for the lads.

“They look so happy and I get emotional about stuff like this. You don’t have many days in your life that are absolutely amazing and the fact that collectively, we’ve been able to do it for the city, the players, their families and the owner is something I regard greater than the promotion.”

Tranmere boss Pete Wild was frustrated that his side left defeated.

He said: “We’ve had the best chance of the first half but kick it over the bar, which is highly frustrating, and had a goal disallowed that was onside.

“I think we’ve done really well in the football match but we can’t concede off two second-phase set-pieces, which is really frustrating.

“But in general play, not a lot has happened in the game. Two set-pieces, we’ve had a goal disallowed and put one over the bar from six yards. On a different day, it could be a different story, but it is what it is.

“Moments in matches win games. It’s the key moments and if you broke the game down, not a lot has happened.

“There’s bits in games you try and protect but I don’t think we’ve protected the big moments today.

“It’s a really frustrating day because we could easily have got something today.”