TURTON'S championship celebrations began as their victory put them out of reach of the chasing pack.
The Tigers, already promoted last week, sealed the Division One title with Saturday's 3-0 win at home to Wyre Villa.
Turton were given a huge lift with a minute played, as a Villa defender was dismissed for his altercation with Luke Bradbury. Two first-half goals, and a third right at the end, meant that they could crack open the champagne.
"The red card was ridiculous," said joint-manager Neil Hart. "Bradders went to receive a throw-in and the big centre-half just went right through the back of his legs. Then when he turned to confront him the defender head-butted him, it was madness from him.
"Luke did really well to keep control, I know a lot of players would have lost it but he kept his cool."
Against 10 men Turton could have been forgiven had a touch of complacency crept into their game but a professional approach saw them to victory. Phil Johnson put them in front with the opening goal, and Bradbury doubled the lead 10 minutes before half time. Ali Dickson sparked the home side's celebrations when he completed the scoring two minutes from time.
"It was a funny game, obviously we knew we needed a point but we'd gone into the game aiming to win it," continued Hart. "We'd done our planning and preparation as normal but that all went out of the window after the red card, if anything it was too easy after that. Luckily we got a goal not long after the lad was sent off. 
"Myself and Neil (Johnson, joint manager) just had to get the message through to the lads that we'd earned the right to be in this position so we couldn't let it slip. 
"The lads have been outstanding, to win the title with four games still to go is an outstanding effort. To get home on Saturday night and see all the texts and messages on Twitter and Facebook from other clubs was great, they all said we deserved it. What the lads have done this season has been incredible."
"We've got to start thinking about our preparation for the Premier Division now. Myself and Neil will probably sit down this week and put some plans together. We've already got plans in terms of new players coming in, we're looking to keep the squad together and add three or four quality players to that. There's no way we're going into the Premier Division just to make up the numbers."
Eagley look forward to welcoming Turton to the top flight, although their own place in the division is not yet assured.
The Eagles suffered their heaviest defeat of the season on Saturday, 8-0 at fourth-placed Longridge Town. That result leaves Eagley looking uneasily over their shoulder at the four sides below them, all of whom have four or five games in hand.
"Saturday was a real off-day, one of those games where everyone was off, it was a disaster," said the club's Colin Whaley. "We had a couple of players missing and tried three at the back. We conceded the first goal after about seven minutes and it just went downhill from there. We've had decent results against the top teams this season, we just haven't been consistent enough.
"We've got one game to go, against Southport Hesketh. It's out of our hands but we feel that victory in that game should possibly be enough."
Tempest United will still harbour hopes of joining Turton in the Premier Division. They will do so if they can make the most of their games in hand but their prospects took a turn for the worse with a 3-0 defeat at Hawcoat Park. 
That result means that Ladybridge, with one match remaining at Ulverston Rangers, cannot catch second-placed Hawcoat, five points ahead.
In Division Two CMB are well placed for promotion, as they are a point behind leaders Milnthorpe Corinthians but have three games in hand. Thanks to Will Archer's last-gasp equaliser they gained a point from a 2-2 draw at Millom on Saturday and could hit top spot this weekend if they take all three points from their match at home to Walney Island. 
Bolton County will finish in mid-table after their 1-0 defeat at home to Swarthmoor Social. County will complete their fixtures tonight when they host neighbours Stoneclough.