THE Whites are staying up!

There were scenes of joy this afternoon as Wanderers completed the Great Escape with a dramatic 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.

Despite throwing away a one goal lead earlier in the match, Phil Parkinson’s men scored two late goals in as many minutes to ensure they will remain in the Championship next season.

Aaron Wilbraham’s late headed goal sparked scenes of jubilation at the Macron Stadium as fans – who had headed into the game with hope more than expectation of their side staying up – streamed on to the pitch to celebrate.

Prior to the game, many supporters soaking up the spring sunshine outside the ground had voiced a mixture of surprise and displeasure at the news that 38-year-old Wilbraham was to play as the team’s lone front man.

As the match kicked off, almost every kick was met by the roars of a vociferous home crowd.

Inside the stadium fans were tense, but belief grew as the news spread throughout the stands that Wanderers’ relegation rivals were faltering elsewhere.

After a brief moment of joy when their team went 1-0 up just after the hour mark, Wanderers fans’ hopes were crushed when Forest scored twice in ten minutes to silence the Macron and leave the Whites staring into the abyss.

But incredibly, they pulled off a comeback that will live long in the memory, scoring twice in as many minutes to leapfrog their relegation rivals.

The final whistle was met by hordes of fans running onto the turf to celebrate with their Wanderers heroes. Ralph Hayes and Brian Smethurst, both from Darcy Lever, were among the fans who could scarcely believe what they had just witnessed.

Ralph said: “I thought it was all over when they went 2-1 up. It’s an amazing achievement. To say we had two points after the first 11 games.

“We said if we finished fourth from bottom then we’ve had a good season and that’s exactly what we’ve done.

“I thought they all played well today, especially Aaron Wilbraham. He’s come in for some stick, but today’s he’s proved them all wrong. He’s earned the respect of a lot of Bolton fans.

“We’ll be celebrating this afternoon and tonight!”

Speaking outside the ground, Wayne Close, from Horwich, said he was experiencing a mixture of joy, relief and happiness.

“When we went 2-1 down I thought we were never going to do it,” he said.

“When we scored that goal and then the other, it was just unbelievable. I didn’t think we’d do it because we’ve not performed all season. I thought we were going to go down.”

Meanwhile, Mitchell Dalton, aged 24, had travelled down from Inverness with his family to watch the game.

He said: “I just can’t believe it. When they equalised I thought that was it, they’ll finish us off now.

“Then we went 2-1 down and I thought there was no way we’d score two goals in five minutes and then Wheater slots one in and then Wilbraham with the diving header. It’s just mental, I can’t believe it.

“I can’t even describe how I was feeling when that winner went in. I’m still in shock.

“The trip was well worth it after that.”

Wanderers supporter Tony Foden has been attending games since the 1940s and his pre-match prediction of a late Wanderers win proved to be remarkably prescient.

He said: “I think we’ll scrape it right at the death.

“A lot of mistakes have been made at the top, but they’ve done all right considering they’ve had no money to spend. Let’s hope for the best next year.”

After the game, the players returned to the pitch to undertake a lap of honour and share in the delight of supporters.

And as the fans left the stadium to embark on an afternoon of celebration, many were in visibly high spirits.

Needless to say, there will be plenty of sore heads around the town tomorrow morning.