Parkinson (right) hugs midfielder Neil Danns as the U's are promoted

The U's drew 0-0 at Yeovil, having needed just one point to confirm their promotion from League One.

"To get a club of our size into the second tier of English football is a great achievement," Parkinson said.

"The supporters deserve the success, and everyone at the club, from the chairman down, has worked extremely hard to bring success here."

The U's had known that although a point would be enough for second place, a defeat at Yeovil could have let in Brentford - who needed to win at Bournemouth, and led twice before being held to a 2-2 draw.

Parkinson added: "It was a long 90 minutes as Brentford were winning at two stages, but we've now won four and drawn two of our last six games - so when the pressure was on, we've produced.

"Other teams have got to the top, or got to the brink of the play-offs, and then floundered.

"We had a bit of a dip after the FA Cup run, but the character they have shown to handle the pressure has been first class, and that's the most pleasing thing for me.