Lincoln United seal promotion and the UCL Premier Division North title as they play out a goalless draw with Skegness Town at the MKM Stadium.
The Whites started the last day in pole position, but only two points clear in the title race after a 3-1 win over Heanor Town on Saturday.
Josh Batty, Tristan Drummond and Elliot Dye scored to set up a mouth watering promotion occasion on Easter Monday.
With the news that Bourne Town had beaten Harrowby United in the early kick-off, it was pressure on their title rivals Lincoln and Eastwood CFC to get the job done.
Eastwood hosted Belper United in their final league game, hoping The Whites would slip up.
Scott Hellewell was forced into just one change from the win over Heanor, as the injured Sean Wright was replaced by Henry Moore at centre-back.
A cagey opening 45:
Early pressure nearly paid off for the visitors as a goalmouth scramble from a corner saw Dye nearly poke home from two yards.
It was The Whites’ skipper who tested the keeper once again on 12 minutes, his right footed effort was well tuned away for a corner.
Scott Matthews forced the Skegness shot stopper into another save midway through the half. His free-kick was well held.
Results elsewhere going Lincoln’s way:
It had been a nervy first 45, but with title rivals Eastwood 2-0 down to Belper United, a point was enough at that stage for Lincoln to secure promotion.
It was United who started the second-half on top without creating many chances of note.
With the players no doubt now informed of scores elsewhere going United’s way, the final half an hour was on a knife edge.
With 22 minutes to play, The Whites came close to an opener. A corner was flicked on by Dye and Jaime Ture came close to heading home. He flicked the ball narrowly wide via a deflection.
Skegness had their best chance of the afternoon shortly afterwards, heading straight at Steggles from a corner.
Dye penalty saved:
Then, on 74 minutes, the big moment of the match came. New recruit Batty went through on goal and rounded the ‘keeper. He was brought down and the referee pointed to the spot.
It seemed set for captain Dye to tuck away the penalty and seal promotion for his side, but his effort was brilliantly saved down to the shot-stopper’s right. The nerves would go on.
By this stage Eastwood had fallen 3-0 down and it became clear a point would be enough for Lincoln, but with ten minutes to play promotion seemed a long way off yet.
Lincoln United promoted back to step four:
Hellewell’s men controlled the final stages though and despite Gbolahan Okewoye missing a golden chance at the death, Lincoln United had done enough.
They had eeked out a professional performance to secure a goalless draw and be confirmed as title winners.
A season which started all the way back in July, ended in glory on the East coast as players, coaches and supporters celebrated together.
Captain Elliot Dye lifted the trophy for The Whites, 30 years after his father Darren led the club to a league title.
Despite already securing the county cup and league title, Lincoln United’s season does not end there as they have a chance to make it a treble with a League Cup final to come in May.