Bristol Rovers have been promoted back to League One by the virtue of goals scored. Joey Barton's Gas defeated Scunthorpe United 7-0 at the Mem to break Northampton Town hearts, clinching third place in League Two on the final day.
Ahead of kick-off the Gas were fourth in the table, level on points with the Cobblers, behind by five on goal difference, but a miraculous seven-goal win against already-relegated Scunthorpe United saw Barton’s side immediately return to the third tier finishing third on goals scored despite Northampton winning 3-1 against Barrow.
There were heroes across the park, with Antony Evans and Aaron Collins netting braces before Elliot Anderson scored in the final 10 minutes to spark delirium.
The Gas boss made three changes to his starting XI from last weekend’s incredible comeback victory over Rochdale with Trevor Clarke, Luke Thomas and Glenn Whelan coming in for Josh Grant, who dropped to the bench, while Paul Coutts and Luca Hoole missed out entirely.
Buoyed on by a raucous sold-out Mem, Rovers started the brighter and Sam Finley’s 6th-minute low shot garnered noises of optimism from the stands.
The hope that had built throughout BS7 of gaining automatic promotion on the final day dwindled very quickly though as Northampton went two goals up against Barrow inside the opening 15 minutes.
With the Cobblers in control at Holker Lane, Rovers needed to beat Scunthorpe by a considerable margin to be promoted automatically and the potential of that happening took a significant step forward in the space of four minutes.
Oliver Lobley turned Elliot Anderson’s cross into his own net in the 18th minute and Connor Taylor popped up at the back post in the 22nd minute to score his third goal of the season.
Barton’s side looked to edge further in front with several chances in the lead up to half time but Scunthorpe, after making a change at full-back with Mason O’Malley replacing Lobley, dealt well with several barraging attacks from the Gas.
Following the restart, Luke Thomas had a great opportunity to extend the host's lead by latching onto Aaron Collins’ ball behind the Iron defence, but Owen Foster narrowed the angle making a strong save with his legs.
Collins was the recipient of the next chance at goal and he made no mistake firing in from the edge of the D to put the Gas three goals to the good.
The Gas continued to be relentless and on the hour mark Sam Finley dragged a close-range effort just wide but Antony Evans made it four two minutes later with a precise finish from just outside the box with the outside of his right foot.
After a cooling period of ten minutes, the Gas scored their fifth with 15 to play, Evans with a trademark free-kick from 30 yards out.
Three minutes later Collins bagged his second of the game leaving Rovers with ten minutes to score one goal to win automatic promotion, with Northampton 3-1 ahead at Barrow and thus one ahead on goal difference in the table.
With five minutes left of the 90 Rovers worked a move down the right with Evans’ deep cross being powered home by Elliot Anderson, undoubtedly etching his name into Gas history.
A pitch invasion followed with referee Charles Breakspear taking both teams off the field of play and threatening to abandon the game if fans did not return to the stands.
Rovers saw out the remaining minutes and confirmed their place in League One for next season with Gasheads breaking onto the pitch from all corners to loft their heroes in blue and white into the air.
