COLIN CALDERWOOD, the Nottingham Forest manager, wanted a party mood at the City Ground by 5pm last night and there was as his side achieved their first promotion in 10 seasons when they beat Yeovil 3-2 and Doncaster lost 2-1 at Cheltenham.

A pitch invasion greeted the final whistle and ended the former European champions’ three-year stay in the third tier of English football. They had eroded Doncaster’s advantage with a late run of six wins in seven unbeaten matches.

Early goals from Forest’s player of the year Julian Bennett, a powerful long-range strike, and Kris Commons’s 18-yard shot put the home side in the driving seat. Jamie Peters got a quick reply for the visitors, but Lewis McGugan struck a third with a free kick in the 28th minute. Andy Kirk headed a second goal for Yeovil to make it a nervous last 15 minutes for Forest.

Cheltenham and Doncaster are the homes of two of Britan’s most famous racecourses and there was almost a photo finish at Whaddon Road, where Paul Conner’s 85th-minute goal ensured the home side’s survival in League One.

Cheltenham had to match or do better than both Bournemouth and Gillingham to stay up, and Steven Gillespie gave them the best of starts with a 24th-minute goal despite some early Doncaster domination.

Paul Green’s left-footed strike levelled for Doncaster, lifting with it their hopes of an automatic promotion place, but they were left to fight another day, in the playoffs, as Connor gave Cheltenham the points.

Bournemouth’s brave fight to avoid the drop ended with a 1-1 draw at Carlisle, who also had to settle for a place in the playoffs. Kevin Bond’s team had won their previous six matches having been 14 points off the safety zone with seven matches of the season remaining. The turnaround came after the club were plunged into uncertainty with the deduction of 10 points for entering administration.

More than 1,450 Bournemouth supporters made the 700-mile round trip to Cumbria and lived in hope when Brett Pitman pulled them level 11 minutes after Scott Dobie had given the home side a 57th-minute lead from close range.

Gillingham were also relegated after losing 2-1 at Leeds United in front of an incredible 38,256 crowd. The Kent team went in front through Simeon Jackson in the 20th minute.

Leeds, who last week lost their appeal to have a 15-point deduction reversed, were not going to suffer yet another setback. Bradley Johnson volleyed the equaliser in the 69th minute. Gary McAllister’s side ended the regular season the way they started it, with a late winner through Tresor Kandol. Crewe survived despite a 4-1 home defeat against Oldham.

Kevin Blackwell was confirmed as Sheffield United’s manager yesterday as his side prepares for today’s match at Southampton, a game that could end with the Bramall Lane club topping off a remarkable recovery taking them from the lower reaches of the Championship to the playoffs.

The former Leeds and Luton manager succeeded Bryan Robson on a temporary basis in February and United have lost just twice in in 13 league matches.

He said: “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity of delivering the ambitions of the chairman, the board and the wonderful fans of this club.”

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