The fireworks exploding in the night sky above Yockings Park told the story: Whitchurch Alport had finally clinched promotion.

They did it the hard way, having to rely on the North West Counties League play-offs and then clinching a 2-1 victory over Cammell Laird and their place in the Premier Division.

It was a tense affair in front of a record Yockings crowd of 733 - even though Alport had got off top a hot start.

Many on the crowd were still finding their seats after grabbing a pre-match cuppa when Joey Howell rifled a shot into the bottom corner.

And the Reds were in dream land six minutes later when the visiting defence failed to deal with Lee Pickerill's poor corner and the ball bounced off Simon Everill – and the linesman ruled it had crossed he line before keeper Matthew Levelle clawed it away.

The match was never a classic – there was far too much at stake for that.

And how ironic after a season of postponed matches because of waterlogged pitches that the pitch was rock hard, and the lively ball was proving difficult to keep under control.

Cammell Laird threatened at time, without ever threatening keeper Danny Read, whose handling all night was exemplary and his calm demeanour helped calm the defenders in front of him.

Everall, a threat all night, had a couple of opportunities to make the game safe, and late on Howell saw his rasping shot bounce back off a post.

Home fans groaned when the referee decided to add on six extra minutes, and a nerve-shredding night was raised a notch when sub Charlie MacInness reduced the arrears with a low shot.

Alport saw out the final two minutes – and promotion to the top division was secured.