Dr Marten's Premier Division - 3/5/97 - Eton Park
The climax to the season could not have been any more tense as the promotion race between local rivals Cheltenham Town and Gloucester City boiled down to the final day of the 1996/97 campaign.
The Robins held a slight advantage over the Tigers and as they travelled to Burton's Eton Park, knew that they had to equal or better City's result against Salisbury to claim a place in the Conference after a five-year absence.
A large Cheltenham presence in the crowd, many armed with radios to keep up with events at Meadow Park, gave their heroes a rapturous tickertape welcome and prepared themselves for the afternoon of drama that was about to unfold.
Chances in the first half were few and far between and a Jamie Victory effort in the 10th minute proved to be the only notable stop Albion keeper Darren Acton had to make.
There were suddenly hundreds of worried faces as news began the filter around the ground that Gloucester had taken the lead through an own goal from former Robin Matt Lovell.
At half-time, Leroy Rosenior's men were on course to steal the promotion berth from their arch-rivals, but there were still 45 dramatic minutes to be played.
As Burton continued to keep Cheltenham out, Salisbury equalised at Gloucester and the complexion of the afternoon changed further when the Robins were awarded a 66th minute penalty after Lee Howells was tripped.
Loan signing Richard Dunwell saw his spot kick saved well by Acton and the tension continued to mount. Burton were reduced to 10 men after 70 minutes due to an injury sustained by Steve Spooner when all three of their substitutes had been used.
Still Cheltenham could not break Burton down, but news of a second goal for Salisbury eased the pressure. There was then a roar around the ground and fans jumped out of their seats as word spread that Salisbury had scored a third against an exhausted Tigers side.
Just before the end, there were reports of a pitch invasion delaying the match at Gloucester as the occasion got the better of some of the Tigers followers.
The final whistle blew and after confirmation that the Gloucester game had restarted and finished 3-1 in Salisbury's favour, the celebrations began in earnest.
A promotion race that went to the bitter end - but ended in glory - triggered the start of a wonderful few years for Cheltenham. Cotterill, caretaker boss until promotion was secured, was offered a full-time contract with the club and the Robins climbed to the heights of Division Two within five years.
Burton Albion (0) 0
Cheltenham Town (0) 0
Burton: Acton, Davies, Titterton, Keast, Palmer (Benton 44), Spooner, Lyons (Marlowe 70), Redfern, Nuttell, Devaney (Ejiofor 70), Hornby.
Cheltenham: Maloy, Duff, Knight, Banks, Freeman, Victory, Howells, Wright, Dunwell (Boyle 80), Eaton (Cotterill 89), Bloomer.
Referee: M. Dexter (Leicester)
Attendance: 1,142