Fan-tastic day for everyone connected with Wigan Athletic!

And that was before a picture-perfect 4-0 victory which secured promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt!

With more than a few echoes of two years ago - when Gary Caldwell’s side clinched promotion at Blackpool - Paul Cook’s Class of 2018 also enjoyed their day in the sun on the Fylde coast.

And what a day it was!

Right from the off, the away end was positively bouncing.

Numbering 1,100 - which would have been doubled or even trebled had Latics been allocated more tickets - the visiting supporters provided the soundtrack off the field to inspire their heroes on it.

And didn’t those players do their bit?!

Max Power stroked home the opening goal just after the half-hour mark, before racing almost the full length of the field to celebrate with the travelling Wiganers, including his fiancee and young children.

Soon afterwards, Gavin Massey made it 2-0, and he also chose to race to the other end of Highbury Stadium to share his moment with the jubilant Latics fans.

With third-placed Shrewsbury beating rock-bottom Bury 1-0, Latics knew promotion wasn’t quite within reach.

Not even when Dan Burn made it 3-0 just before the hour mark with a cool finish...followed by a magnificent celebration made famous by England star Dele Alli in recent weeks.

But then came the pivotal minute of the day, with the game at its three-quarter mark, which turned a great day into an unforgettable one.

Just as Chey Dunkley was making it 4-0 with a cool finish from close range...a cheer went up in the away end...which soon became a deafening roar.

BURY HAVE EQUALISED!

With Latics playing out time in the sunshine, most of the attention switched to Shropshire, where the Shakers - who’ve stunk out League One since virtually day one - made sure they had a decisive say in the destination of the first automatic promotion spot.

The full-time whistle at Highbury was only the starter.

The main course came a couple of minutes later, with news filtering through of the full-time whistle at Shrewsbury, with the store still at 1-1.

Then it was time for the dessert...with scenes of euphoria on the pitch, including an impromptu appearance from long-time club owner Dave Whelan.

Who for the first time in his life could say he was in the north west of England, rather than Barbados, for the weather!

The celebrations continued for quite some time on the pitch, with the odd alcoholic drink here and there among the players and staff.

That party soon switched to Wigan town centre, with reports that in some establishments they are still going on.

Up the Championship-bound Tics!