Coppinger into folklore with surreal winner

The long-serving Rovers attacking midfielder was one of just two players who lined up against the Bees from the side who beat the Whites in front of 75,000 at the home of football, the other being goalkeeper Neil Sullivan.

While Marcello Trotta spectacularly blew the chance to see his name in lights after missing from the spot in the fourth minute of stoppage-time, Coppinger took centre stage almost instantly to tap home following Billy Paynter’s assist to secure not just promotion, but the championship for Rovers.

Coppinger said: “It’s probably better than Wembley for me. Probably because of the loan spell I had at the start of the season (at Nottingham Forest) when I was not playing and then to come back and be part of it and to score the winner that takes us up as champions.

“I said on the bus on the way here that somebody could write their names into folklore with people like James Hayter and Francis Tierney, who have had defining moments at Doncaster.

“It’s surreal that it is me, but I am so pleased that it happened.

“Words cannot really describe it. Especially when they got the penalty and you think the worst. Another two weeks of training and the play-offs being a lottery...

“Then I get the winner and It is just what dreams are made of. You couldn’t write the script. I am delighted for the lads; they worked so hard for this and to be champions on the last day of the season is unbelievable.

“I said to Dean Furman that if I score in the last minute, my shirt is coming off. I have never done that before in my career.”

It was also the sweetest of afternoons for veteran Sullivan, with the 43-year-old also having occasion for a double celebration after AFC Wimbledon – where he has spent most of this term on loan – secured their Football League safety with a 2-1 win over Fleetwood at Kingsmeadow.

Sullivan, who is unlikely to receive a title medal after only playing four times for Rovers in 2012-13, said: “It was unbelievable going from the lowest you can feel on a football pitch to being the most happy and elated you can be.

“Wimbledon won 2-1 and stayed up as well, so it was a fantastic day.”