Norwich City were confirmed as champions of League One with two games still to play after Saturday's 2-0 win over Gillingham at Carrow Road (All pictures by Jed Leicester/Getty Images)
With their League One status far from safe, Gillingham were determined to spoil the home fans' party, which at times found its way on to the field of play.
The score remained at 0-0 for much of the game, Gillingham having by far the better chances in the first half, but with Norwich needing just a point to secure the title defeat was out of the question.
Darel Russell's looping shot on 74 minutes gave Norwich the lead, then Michael Nelson met Simon Lappin's 82nd minute corner to score his second goal in two games.
At the final whistle the 25,000 strong Carrow Road crowd burst with relief, having secured promotion and the League One title less than a year after their relegation from the Championship.
Joint majority shareholder Delia Smith received a lot of criticism following their relegation to League One last season, and the relief was there to see at the final whistle.
Gary Doherty has taken his share of criticism in the past too, but this season has been as consistent as any other, while Oli Johnson (right) has become a cult hero after his appearances from the bench.
Signed from Shrewsbury last summer, Grant Holt was appointed captain when Paul Lambert became manager in August and after scoring 30 goals he seems sure to be named fans' player of the season.
Simon Lappin shows supporters how he feels as he and Michael Rose lap up the celebrations, Lappin's Norwich career had looked in tatters 18 months previously after he was frozen out by Glenn Roeder.
Adam Drury (centre) joined Norwich nine years ago, this is his second league title with the club, but the left-back is another player who until this season was unsure of his future at Carrow Road.
On-loan Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster is one of Grant Holt's only challengers for the player of the season award after keeping 17 clean sheets in the League he's attracting a lot of interest away from Carrow Road.
You would not be surprised if Delia Smith directed this gesture at manager Paul Lambert, the architect of the team's 7-1 thrashing by Colchester at the start of the campaign he was at Norwich within a fortnight.
After such a disastrous start to the campaign in front of home fans, the relief of being crowned champions is evident on the face of all the Norwich players as celebrations get into full swing.
What are these?
E-mail this to a friend 
Bookmark with:
What are these?