AND so, a marathon season comprising 53 games in league and cup comes down to the final 90 minutes; well, hopefully.

Wanderers’ task is simple. Avoid defeat and barring a mathematical miracle in Fleetwood’s game at home to Port Vale they will be promoted to the Championship.

If they lose against Peterborough United, and Fleetwood pick up three points, then it’s Millwall, Southend United or Rochdale in the play-off semi-finals. And no-one wants that.

Some argue this should have been wrapped up weeks ago, and perhaps they are right.

Phil Parkinson’s side had a sizeable gap at one stage before a little wobble in games against Scunthorpe, Oldham and Bury. But last weekend’s gutsy win at Port Vale underlined why this team has come so far in the last 12 months and why, touch wood, they will be celebrating at about 1.45pm on Sunday afternoon.

To complain the promotion party has dragged on to the final weekend of the season would be missing the point entirely. Rewind to last summer and recall just how uncertain things felt. As a club, Wanderers have been to hell and back over the last 18 months. Heck, it isn’t even hyperbole to say they were 10 minutes away from ceasing to exist altogether last year.

Somehow – and it has not always been by the most conventional means – new ownership has got the club moving back in the right direction. For that every man in the boardroom deserves to celebrate alongside the players and supporters if one more point can be found.

When Wanderers came down from the Championship the feeling of disappointment was hard to shift. Reputations needed to be rebuilt, careers mended. Yet many of the players who skulked off the field at Fulham’s Craven Cottage last May will be back out there at the Macron this weekend having their every touch cheered loudly. It has taken an immense amount of mental strength to win that battle – but win it they have.

The man due most praise has been the one keeping his head amid all the pressure in the last few weeks. Parkinson’s decision to swap a stable Bradford City for an unpredictable Bolton Wanderers last summer was a brave one but he will feel fully vindicated by the reaction he has got and the results his side have earned.

When Wanderers most needed dependable and sensible guidance, Parkinson has provided it. Together with a trusted group of staff who have integrated into the Wanderers fabric effortlessly since moving into Lostock, a real club has been allowed to heal it wounds and come back fighting.

Forget about all the trials and tribulations. History is happening right now.