Town easily defeated Walsall with two second half David Johnson goals, but fans returned home feeling less than ecstatic as Blackburn failed to beat Manchester City and catapult Town into the Premiership. Two play-offs with Bolton (yes Bolton again) await with the first away at the Reebok Stadium next Sunday afternoon.

Town lined up with Mark Venus and Gary Croft on the bench, Manu Thetis and Jamie Clapham taking their places. The first half was nervy, but all Town. On several occasions Town went close with Scowy seeing the ball pass just past the post, David Johnson firing wide and having Walker make a couple of good saves. Mowbray had a header handled on the line, but Kevin Lynch (yes, Kevin Lynch) had already blown up for a push on the keeper.

As half-time approached the stadium erupted as news of a goal for Blackburn came through. Half-time with nervousness at levels unseen since last season's Bolton play-off.

The second half began in a tense fashion, but soon after there was relief in the air when David Johnson scored. A corner from the left went beyond everyone and Tony Mowbray hooked the ball back in. Johnson hit it first time past Walker and then ran, pursued by his team-mates, to the bench to share the celebrations with his manager.

The tension reigned supreme with fans nervously clinging to the thought that we could be playing Premiership football, with watch watching becoming a popular terrace activity. Unfortunately this didn't last and news soon filtered through that Blackburn had capitulated as goals one, two, three and four went in for Manchester City.

The game petered out, but not before Jamie Clapham had cut in from the left and set up David Johnson for his second. The celebrations this time were muted as players and fans were resigned to more play-offs. Walsall were resigned to Second Division football next season as results had not gone their way, both here and elsewhere.

The fourth year of the play-offs then, and still more torture for fans.

James Scowcroft and Marcus Stewart were both substituted with injuries in the second half. Their availability for next week is not yet known.

James Scowcroft picked up both the Supporters' Player of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year. Wayne Brown won the Most Improved Player Award.

Photo: Action Images

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