Barton grabs promotion in 7-0 triumph
JOEY BARTON admitted he was lost for words last night after his Bristol Rovers side crushed Scunthorpe 7-0 to clinch promotion from League Two on an astonishing final day of drama.
Rovers, level on points with Northampton but five goals worse off going into the final day, needed little short of a miracle to pip the Cobblers for third spot.
And at half-time, with Northampton 3-1 up at Barrow and Rovers only winning 2-0, it seemed as though Barton’s prayers were not going to be answered.
But incredibly, there were no more goals at Barrow and Rovers duly scored the five second-half goals required to spark wild celebrations at the Memorial Ground.
Barton, who had gone on to the pitch to plead for calm after fans had raced on to celebrate their seventh goal in the 85th minute, admitted it was one of the greatest days of his career.
‘It’s tough to put into words,’ said the former Manchester City midfielder. ‘I honestly don’t know how to sum that up.
‘I certainly didn’t expect us to win 7-0. This is right up there — my first promotion as a coach and this I’ll always remember.’
An Oliver Lobley own goal and Connor Taylor header had given Rovers their half-time lead over a young Scunthorpe side who were playing their final Football League match following relegation.
And then came the second-half onslaught with Aaron Collins and Anthony Evans netting twice each in a frantic 25-minute spell before Elliot Anderson capped the most incredible win.
When Rovers grabbed their seventh it was the first time this season that they had been in the division’s top three. Earlier in the season they had actually been in the bottom two.
‘We were 91st in the Football League,’ beamed Rovers’ owner Wael al-Qadi. ‘But we came back and got promoted in the last second of the season. It’s fantastic to have experienced such a moment.’
Rovers’ joy was in stark contrast to the devastation in the Northampton dressing room.
‘It’s pretty hard to comprehend now,’ admitted their manager Jon Brady. ‘But we dust ourselves down and go again.’
Northampton must now take on Mansfield in the play-offs with Swindon playing Port Vale in the other semi-final.
Forest Green were also celebrating last night after clinching the League Two title following a 2-2 draw at Mansfield.
That saw them pip Exeter on goal difference after they had been beaten 1-0 at home by Port Vale.
‘We’ve had a lot of titanic battles this year and tough games right the way through,’ said Forest Green boss Rob Edwards. ‘This is still surreal and incredible.’