Forest Green Rovers have won promotion to football's third tier for the first time in their history.

Following a 0-0 draw at West Country rivals, Bristol Rovers, on Saturday, the Nailsworth team have become the smallest club to reach England's third tier.

Over 700 dedicated supporters made the trip to Bristol, singing about promotion long before goalkeeper Luke McGee made an essential save deep into stoppage time - saving both the point and automatic promotion. A 0-0 draw has never been so welcome.

After missing out on promotion through the play-offs in each of the past two seasons, automatic promotion has been the main target for the squad.

And promotion had looked almost inevitable right from the start of the season. Under manager Rob Edwards, Rovers have been at the top of the table since September. Saturday's draw means they are now eight points clear of fourth-placed Port Vale, who have only two matches remaining to Forest Green's three.

For the majority of their 133-year history, Forest Green were more a local village team than a professional outfit. The club had never played an opponent outside of Gloucestershire until the 1970s, yet 40 years on from winning a double of the Hellenic League Premier Division - the ninth tier of English football - and the FA Vase at Wembley, Forest Green find themselves promoted to League 1.

Remarkably, it's only been five years since the club was promoted to the English Football League for the first time.

Now promotion to League 1 mean they will be playing some big name opponents, including former Premier League teams, as well as Gloucestershire rivals, Cheltenham Town. Bristol Rovers could still be playing Forest Green next season - they remain in fifth place in League 2, two points away from the automatic promotion places with two games left.