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Yeovil Town boss Russell Slade - a big Nottingham Forest fan deep down

YEOVIL Town boss Russell Slade made no secret of the fact that he was delighted that Nottingham Forest had grabbed automatic promotion on the final day of the Coca-Cola League One season after dishing out a 3-2 defeat over his own Glovers' side.

Slade, a self-confessed long-time Forest fan, said: "I've lost a football match, but it is a wonderful day for football.

"That's because the atmosphere was fantastic. It's like how the City Ground used to be when I remember it.

"I'm thrilled for the locals and my family from Nottingham and the football club for them to get back into the Championship."

It seems that even Forest fan Slade himself could not resist being caught up in the excitement of Saturday. And, to be fair, with the season over for Yeovil, why not?

Twelve months ago and Yeovil were basking in undiluted joy at knocking Forest out of the League One play-offs at the semi-final stage following a never-to-be-forgotten night of drama at the City Ground.

Twelve months on and it was Forest who were celebrating this time with victory over the Glovers and with it automatic promotion back to the Championship.

Whether Forest would class it as "sweet revenge" is doubtful with Yeovil having nothing to gain from Saturday's fixture having already secured League One survival for anothe term.

As for Forest, the match presented them with a whole different ball game. A victory over Yeovil, a team that had broken their hearts last season, and favourable results from elsewhere around the country and Forest would be back in the Championship.

A packed crowd of 28,520 supporters, including just under 600 Yeovil fans, gathered for the match and, just like 12 months ago, it was another see-saw kind of game which became a nerve-wracking experience for the Forest faithful.

Forest charged into a 2-0 lead with goals by Julian Bennett and Kris Commons inside the opening 20 minutes, but Jaime Peters responded by firing his first Yeovil goal to reduce the deficit.

Lewis McGugan restored Forest's two-goal advantage before the half-time interval and the home fans began to eagerly listen out for scores involving their League One promotion rivals at Doncaster Rovers.

There were some nervous moments for Forest when Yeovil made it 3-2 through Andy Kirk in the 75th minute and those last remaining minutes must have felt like an eternity for the home supporters.

News then trickled through that Cheltenham Town had taken a narrow 2-1 lead in their match with Doncaster at Whaddon Road and the party began at the City Ground.

Forest, the one-time Kings of Europe who had been plying their trade in League One for the past three seasons, were heading back to the Championship and would do so without having to endure the trauma of the play-offs.

When referee Fred Graham blew his whistle to signal the end of the game there was a mass pitch invasion by jubilant Forest fans.

The Yeovil supporters, much to their credit, stayed and congratulated their rivals in a great show of sportsmanship.

After Yeovil's season, which has to be said will be easily forgettable, finished on a disappointing defeat, the complimentary comments received about the Glovers' fans makes a refreshing sound.

8:05am Friday 9th May 2008

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