ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman once said that the soundtrack to his life would be Shed Seven's Chasing Rainbows.

Since the Reds won their place in the Nationwide Conference, he has chased another promotion.

For the bulk of this season he has chased the title.

And Paul Mullin's winner at Woking unearthed a pot at the end of that rainbow that contains something more precious than gold a place in the Football League; a glorious return for the famous club that has risen from the ashes after 44 years in the non-league wilderness thanks to chairman Eric Whalley's relentless ambition and Coleman's guile.

And Saturday's win was crafted from a performance that has reflected their work ethic throughout this incredible campaign.

From back to front, every man in a Stanley shirt gave their all for a game, and possible outcome, that meant so much to so many.

Is it too much to expect Rob Elliot to keep stopping the unstoppable?

You wouldn't think so with the way he kept out not one, but two penalties after referee Simon Beck ordered a re-take for encroaching when he denied Justin Richards but was beaten by the striker's follow-up.

To prove it wasn't a fluke, he did it again even though Richards placed it slightly more centrally and this time there was no getting past Elliot as the parry was scrambled clear.

The back four of Peter Cavanagh, Michael Welch, Phil Edwards and the returning Leam Richardson were undeterred by the inclusion of Richards after injury.

In fact, they probably revelled in the challenge of shutting out the Conference's second leading scorer.

Edwards, a consistent performer since joining from Wigan last year, was even more impressive than usual.

No wonder they call him 'The Rash'.

In the middle, Andy Todd had the bit firmly between his teeth, Robbie Williams looked eager, Mark Boyd worked tirelessly standing in for the suspended Ian Craney and Gary Roberts was at his effervescent best.

Up front, there was the classy combination of targetman Mullin and the dexeterous Romuald Boco.

While, from the bench, Andy Mangan and Steve Jagielka really kept the pot boiling after their introduction in the second half.

All-in-all, a recipe for success.

It could be said the sense of occasion was inspiring.

But it has been the combinations of hard work, skill, talent and enthusiasm that have not just got Stanley this far but are sure to take them further.

And roared on by 430 adoring fans some who remember the tough days, others for whom the journey is just beginning how could this not be their day?

Stanley set an attacking precedent and looked to do damage from a couple of corners, as Williams went close with a header from a wicked Roberts delivery.

Williams, the Reds' longest serving current player, then rose to meet Todd's right-wing cross and Roberts was unlucky to stab wide as the ball dropped to him.

News that Grays had taken the lead against Forest Green Rovers heightened the tension in the visitors' section of the ground, as success for Grays meant Stanley needed three points to lift the title. And those nerves increased when Edwards made a brave block from Craig McAllister as Woking threatened.

Todd had strong appeals for a penalty turned down as he was tripped by Stuart Nethercott right on the edge of the box. Instead, a free kick was awarded from which Roberts' curler took a nick off the wall.

Boco raised hopes of a breakthrough with a stinging volley that whistled just wide.

But that momentum waned and Stanley had to wait for around 10 minutes before their next real chance.

And what a chance it was.

Roberts played a free kick for a foul on Richardson square to Boyd, who struck it low but not too cleanly from around 25 yards. Who else but Mullin was astute enough to know that the slightest deflection would catch goalkeeper Shwan Jalal off guard? He matched that intelligence with accuracy to snatch a glorious goal that was the catalyst for a frenetic second half.

Woking might only have the FA Trophy to play for this season but they found their spark after the break.

Craig McAllister's effort crashed off Edwards' head, Stanley countered through Todd and he will have been annoyed not to have done better with his chance.

Edwards got a double let-off when two handballs in the area went unnoticed by the referee the first from Steven Ferguson's cross, the second after Elliot spilled Karl Murray's firm drive.

But Beck's gaze was fixed when Jackson's right-wing cross cannoned off Mullin's arm and it was third time lucky for Woking as the referee pointed to the spot.

Elliot had gained a reputation as a penalty king on four previous occasions and made it five in a row as he dived to his left to parry Richards' low strike. The striker followed up to finish, but Beck ordered a re-take.

If Elliot felt the pressure to reproduce his heroics, he didn't show it as he came up with an instant replay to send the Reds fans into raptures.

Substitute Andy Mangan had the chance to write his name in the history books on more than one occasion after that as his lightning feet caused havoc in the Woking defence.

Richardson got the better of Jalal after sprinting hard to meet Roberts' square pass on the break but was denied by the crossbar, before dragging another chance wide, in a dramatic finale.

Woking went for a last gasp equaliser but Elliot again came to the rescueto tip McAllister's downwards header round the post.

Five nailbiting minutes of added time ensued as substitute Malik Buari made an impact with his deliveries into the box, but the Stanley defence proved their resilience right up to the final whistle.

Fans poured onto the Kingfield pitch and surrounded their jubilant heroes. Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell sportingly shook counterpart Glenn Cockerill by the hand then joined in the celebrations. But not before the duo grabbed each other in a delirious embrace, beaming at how their achievements over seven years with Stanley have culminated in the ultimate prize.

Best of friends. Born winners. Champions!