Portsmouth sealed promotion to the Championship as League One winners on Tuesday night after completing a late comeback to triumph 3-2 over play-off hopefuls Barnsley at Fratton Park.
Thousands of jubilant Pompey supporters stormed on to the pitch at full-time after Conor Shaughnessy netted the crucial winner in the 89th minute.
Portsmouth twice went behind in the match after Devante Cole’s early opener and John McAtee’s strike shortly before the hour mark, but managed to rally a late surge to win promotion, with top scorer Colby Bishop equalising from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute before the Shaughnessy’s dramatic winning goal.
Promotion to the Championship ends Portsmouth’s 12-year spell outside English football’s second tier, with the south coast club falling as low as League Two in 2013 due to crippling financial struggles.
Portsmouth owner Eric Eisner, who bought the club from the Pompey Supporters Trust in 2017, posted to social media on Tuesday: ‘Perfectly fitting way to win the league!! 2 late goals from the team that never quit all season.
Portsmouth’s players jubilantly celebrate with fans after securing promotion from League One
Pompey were crowned champions after triumphing 3-2 over Barnsley on Tuesday evening
‘Everybody deserves this from the fans, to the staff, to the players. Let it all soak in. I have a feeling Portsmouth will be on fire tonight. See you over for the finale. CHAMPIONS!’
Cole’s strike threatened to spoil Portsmouth’s promotion party in the early stages, but Kusini Yengi levelled terms in the ninth minute much to the relief of the Fratton faithful.
The match developed into a nervy affair as both teams battled for a crucial go-ahead goal, which came by way of Barnsley striker McAtee in the 59th minute.
Pushed on by the home support, Portsmouth fought hard for a turnaround in the closing stages before Bishop netted from the penalty spot, scoring his 21st league goal of the season, and Shaughnessy grabbed the winner from a corner kick.
Portsmouth were relegated from the Championship in 2012 after receiving a 10-point deduction for entering administration for the second time in two years.
Their League One promotion ends Portsmouth’s barren 12-year spell out of the Championship
During their seven-year spell in the Premier League between 2003 and 2010, Portsmouth won the FA Cup and finished as high as eighth in the division.
Ronaldinho, who starred for Milan during Portsmouth’s 2-2 draw with the Italian giants in 2009, described Fratton Park as ‘one of the best atmospheres ever’.
The passionate fanbase lived up to their reputation on Tuesday as they stormed the pitch with blue flares to celebrate with the players.
Meanwhile, second-place Derby took a huge step towards League One promotion as Bolton only managed a 2-2 draw at home. The Rams head into the final two matches of the season with a three point lead over Ian Evatt’s side.
