Argyle 1
Ennis 45

Burton Albion 0

Argyle is a football club that has been to the brink, suffered so much heartache and worry over the past 13 years, but also witnessed a resurgence that will now see the Pilgrims back in the Championship.

The wonderful redeveloped Mayflower Grandstand, a symbol of Argyle’s progress as a club, joined all four corners of the ground in celebration, as a solitary strike from Niall Ennis in the dying seconds of the first half secured a brilliant promotion.

Today is a day that will live forever in Argyle history.

Argyle boss Steven Schumacher opted for the same side that powered to victory over Bristol Rovers in midweek and the game started in bright sunshine, with the atmosphere inside Home Park off the charts.

Callum Wright was first to threaten a breach of the Burton defence, latching on to a lovely pass from Macaulay Gillesphey, and his cross found Danny Mayor, who sent a snap-shot spinning wide.

The Brewers settled into the game with deep corner that found the head of John Brayford but his effort was aimed directly into the grateful arms of Callum Burton. James Wilson then intervened with a crucial challenge to thwart Josh Walker.

Mayor was growing in influence and again he squeezed enough room for an instinctive shot at goal, which took a huge deflection as it looped toward the net but the visitors were reprieved by a goal-line clearance.

Argyle put together their best move so far on the half-hour, as Adam Randell, Wilson and Wright picked a path through the Burton defence to release Mayor for a dinked effort over the advancing goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray but the Brewers again scrambled clear.

The Pilgrims were knocking on the door, Gillesphey heading wide from a corner after Bali Mumba’s shot had been deflected wide. The anticipation inside Home Park was growing by the minute and all that expectation was released in one glorious moment on the stroke of half-time.

Ennis drove into space from the right flank and his left-footed drive took enough of a deflection to divert beyond MacGillivray and into the gaping net, prompting extraordinary wild celebrations, on and off the pitch.

There was a stuttering start to the second period, with Burton Albion suffering a couple of injury stoppages. Mumba reignited the excitement with a weaving run and cutback that just eluded the onrushing Ennis.

The Pilgrims survived a major scare when Sam Hughes found room in the box for a goal-bound header that was bravely blocked by the face of Matt Butcher, keeping the one-goal advantage intact.

Argyle’s first change came on the hour, Finn Azaz replacing the excellent Mayor, a switch that was soon followed by the introduction of Ryan Hardie for Ennis.

As the game ticked toward the final 20 minutes with Argyle still holding their slender lead, pressure levels inside the Theatre of Greens were understandably growing. Azaz attempted to lift the tension with a clever outside-of-the-boot pass for the curved run to Hardie, who pulled it back to Wright, but his first shot was blocked and the rebound flashed inches wide.

A free-kick for Burton in a dangerous position on the left led to a concerned hush but Argyle hooked clear, with Dan Scarr, Gillesphey and Wilson all doing a super job in defending their 18-yard box.

The Greens responded with a swift move down the left. Hardie’s low cross was cushioned by Azaz into the path of Mumba, but his shot was deflected wide. The subsequent corner found Scarr for a powerful header again cleared off the line.

Jay Matete and Jordan Houghton replaced Wright and Randell for the final push. Despite being so close to the glory of promotion, the Pilgrims kept committing men forward in search of a decisive second, with Azaz volleying narrowly wide.

Six minutes of injury time stood between Argyle and Championship football. As they have done all season, the Green-shirted heroes stayed calm, stayed strong and that’s it! Argyle are up!

Congratulations to Schuey, the players, coaching staff and everyone behind the scenes for making this dream a reality, we salute you all.

This one was for the magnificent Green Army.

Argyle: 25 Callum Burton; 3 Macaulay Gillesphey, 5 James Wilson, 6 Dan Scarr, 7 Matt Butcher, 8 Joe Edwards (capt), 10 Danny Mayor (18 Finn Azaz 61), 11 Niall Ennis (9 Ryan Hardie 70), 17 Bali Mumba, 20 Adam Randell (28 Jay Matete 87), 26 Callum Wright (4 Jordan Houghton 87). Substitutes (not used): 32 Adam Parkes (gk), 16 Sam Cosgrove, 21 Nigel Lonwijk.

Booked:

Burton Albion: 34 Craig MacGillivray; 2 John Brayford, 4 Deji Oshilaja, 5 Sam Hughes, 7 Joe Powell, 12 Jasper Moon (10 Charlie Kirk 52), 14 Josh Walker (11 Jonny Smith 90), 16 Conor Shaughnessy (8 Dale Taylor 48), 17 Mark Helm, 36 Thierry Latty-Fairweather (21 Mustapha Carayol 90), 44 Zac Ashworth. Substitutes (not used): 1 Ben Garrett (gk), 15 Chris McCann, 18 Gassan Ahadme.

Booked: Powell 89, Carayol 90

Attendance: 16,634 (283 away)

Referee: Lewis Smith