ACCRINGTON Stanley sealed an historic promotion to League One, exactly 130 years on from the day the club in its original form became founder members of the Football League.

The club has been through a lot since then - resigning from the League in 1962 amid financial difficulties, reforming in 1968 and working their way up the non-league ladder to return as Conference champions in 2006.

Last night was arguably their finest hour. And the division’s finest this season - League Two player of the year Billy Kee - was at the heart of it.

The striker has been through his troubles too, having spoken openly about his battles with mental illness.

He is at his effervescent best on the pitch, and starred to secure the step up.

Before the game Stanley boss John Coleman said he hoped it would be third time lucky. The Reds missed the chance to get the job done on Saturday, at home to Exeter, and there was the heartbreaking near miss two seasons ago.

Kee was part of that side, so it was fitting the Reds’ top scorer unlocked the door this time around.

Nerves were bubbling during a fairly even opening in which Yeovil looked a threat on the break with Rhys Browne seeing his right foot strike well palmed away by Aaron Chapman.

Stanley eventually settled into their rhythm, and Kee settled collective nerves with his 24th goal of the season in the 26th minute.

From the corner he had earned with a deflected shot, Kee rose to meet Sean McConville’s delivery with a glancing header that went in off the underside of the bar.

It took him just two minutes to double the Reds’ advantage, reacting the fastest to fire in the rebound when Jordan Clark’s initial shot was saved.

Not a team to rest on their laurels, Stanley tried to seize on momentum and searched for a third.

Scott Brown came close to breaking his duck for the league season, but saw his low shot deflected wide on the stroke of half-time.

Knowing they were 45 minutes away from securing automatic promotion, Stanley were in control from the start of the second half.

Callum Johnson demonstrated the confidence in the camp when he tried a lob from the right hand touchline, and was unlucky to see an ambitious effort drop onto the top of the net.

Kayden Jackson showed his strength by shrugging off a challenge by Shaun Donnellan to keep his footing and drive at goal from midway inside the Yeovil half. He was under pressure from his marker all the way, but still managed a low drive that Jon Maddison was well positioned to stop.

Then the woodwork denied Sean McConville a goal of the season contender, Jimmy Dunne converted the rebound but was flagged offside, while Jackson and Kee were both denied by the goalkeeper.

Kee was hungry for the hat-trick, but despite three chances he could not make a memorable match-ball his own.

Stanley didn’t have it all their own way in the closing stages, but Yeovil couldn’t stop the party as the Reds saw the game out to earn a place in the third tier.

Defying the odds of operating on the second lowest budget in the league, Accrington Stanley are in League One, and in a league of their own.

STANLEY: Aaron Chapman 9; Callum Johnson 9, Mark Hughes 8, Jimmy Dunne 8, Janoi Donacien 8; Jordan Clark 8, Scott Brown 8, Seamus Conneely 8, Sean McConville 9; Kayden Jackson 9, Billy Kee 10.

Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Ben Richards-Everton, Liam Nolan, Offrande Zanzala, Danny Williams, Erico Sousa, Harvey Rodgers.

YEOVIL: Jon Maddison; Tom James, Omar Sowunmi, Shaun Donnellan, Ryan Dickson; Rhys Browne, Oscar Gobern (Jared Bird 71), Lewis Wing, Alex Fisher, Otis Khan (Marcus Barnes 49); Jordan Green (Ryan Seager 67).

Not used: Stephen Phillips, Bevis Mugabi, Connor Smith, Alefe Santos

ATTENDANCE: 3,176 (93)