I think there is a direct argument. Let $M$ be the unique minimal normal subgroup of $G,$
which is non-Abelian simple. Then $M$ must act faithfully by conjugation
on the $(p+1)$ Sylow $p$-subgroups of $G$- otherwise, $M$
has a normal Sylow $p$-subgroup, which must then be trivial.
But even then, $M$ must normalize, and hence centralize, a Sylow $p$-subgroup $P$
of $G$, as $M$ and $P$ normalize each other and have trivial intersection.
Then $P$ is contained in $C_G(M)=1,$ a contradiction.
Thus $G$ is isomorphic to a subgroup the symmetric
group of degree $p+1$ and a Sylow $p$- subgroup
of $G,$ say $P,$ has order $p.$ Now $P$ fixes no other Sylow $p$- subgroup
of $G$ in the conjugation action, so permutes the remaining
$p$ such subgroups in one orbit of length $p.$ Hence $G$
Is doubly transitive.
Later addition: Let me try to address more precisely Mart's question in the comments-
the argument is less elementary, but still avoids the classification of finite simple
groups. Let me retain my notation of $M$ for the unique minimal normal subgroup of $G,$ (called $S$ by Derek and Mart) and let $P$ be a Sylow $p$-subgroup of $G,$ which has order $p,$ as we have seen already.
The key point I will use is a Theorem of Feit and Thompson (Nagoya J. Math ~1963), which built on an earlier result of Brauer: the combined result asserts that if $X$ is a finite irreducible subgroup of ${\rm GL}(n,\mathbb{C})$ for some $n \leq \frac{p-1}{2},$ where $p$ is a prime, then either $X$ has a normal Sylow $p$-subgroup, or $X/Z(X) \cong {\rm PSL}(2,p).$
Our group $G$ has a transitive faithful permutation action on $p+1$ points, affording a permutation character $\chi,$ say. We are assuming ttthat $M$ has orderprieorder prime to $p,$ and aiminaiming to drivederive a contradiction. The orbits of $M$ all have equal length, and are permuted by $G$. If $M$ has two or more orbits, then ${\rm Res}^{G}_{M}(\chi)$ has at least two trivial constituents, and $M$ has a faithful irreducible character of degree at most $\frac{p-1}{2},$ which extends irreducibly to $MP$ (it can't induce irreducibly by degree considerations). Now $P$ is not normal in $MP$ as $[M,P] \neq 1.$ But $MP/Z(MP)$ is not isomorphic to ${\rm PSL}(2,p),$ since ${\rm PSL}(2,p)$ has no normal $p$-complement, while $MP$ does have a normal $p$-complement (note that we do need $p >3$ here, but $S_{4}$ is solvable and $G$ is not, so we do indeed have $ p >3$). This contradicts the result of Brauer, Feit and Thompson. Hence $M$ is transitive.
Now $M$ is not doubly transitive, as $p$ does not divide $|M|,$ so that ${\rm Res}^{G}_{M}(\chi)$ is a sum of at least $3$ irreducible characters (allowing multiplicities). However, the trivial character only occurs once, and $M$ has no other linear character. Hence ${\rm Res}^{G}_{M}(\chi)$ has a faithful irreducible constituent $\mu$ of degree at most $\frac{p-1}{2},$ which once more extends irreducibly to $MP,$ and we obtain the same contradiction as above.