Brighton and Hove Albion have soared into the First Division, netting a historic back-to-back leap up the football league.

More than 3,000 fans made the 300-mile round trip to watch the Seagulls keep their promotion dream alive on Saturday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory sealed by striker Bobby Zamora.

But their guaranteed slot in Nationwide Division One was only secured last night after Tranmere held promotion rivals Reading to a 2-2 draw.

Albion chairman Dick Knight, who took over in 1997 when Albion were broke, on the brink of being relegated out of the Football League and playing home matches in Gillingham, Kent, said: "It really just proves miracles can happen."

Now they are playing at Withdean, with plans for a new stadium at Falmer, and have risen from the Third Division to the First in successive seasons.

There were scenes of celebration across the city last night, with a party in The Eclipse pub in Hove, as jubilant supporters toasted the success of their heroes.

Mr Knight said: "When you think where we have come from in the past five years, it makes it all the sweeter.

"We have been blessed with two wonderful managers this season. It is just a wonderful day for Brighton and Hove Albion."

Gary Hart, whose left leg is in plaster after it was broken during the Peterborough game, listened with bated breath for the result of yesterday's match at home in Peacehaven, then vowed to be fit to walk up the aisle this summer.

He said: "I'm getting married to my partner Rachel in June, so I am facing a battle to be fit for that. I want to be out of plaster to walk up the aisle.

"I'm absolutely over the moon. I would never have believed it four years ago when I came to the club."

Club manager Peter Taylor, speaking from his home in Kent, said: "I am absolutely delighted for everybody. It is very hard work getting promotion and waiting for the Reading result was the hardest 90 minutes of all for me.

"It's a fantastic achievement for the club, supporters, Dick Knight and especially the players."

Lord Bassam of Brighton joined many saying the triumph increased the urgency for a new stadium at Falmer as home games at Withdean are regularly sold out.

Russell Booty, 21, a student, said: "This is a great achievement. To support a club that has had back-to-back promotions is fantastic. We'll be able to hold our own in the First Division."

Jennifer Hutchings, 48, from Henfield, a fan for 35 years, said: "This reminds me of the good old days with Peter Ward and Ian Mellor."

Headteacher of Wivelsfield Primary School Rita Tipple, from Saltdean, said: "I come to matches with my nephews and I kept on telling them about the days of Peter Ward and when the Albion were in the FA Cup Final. Now the younger fans have a taste of what that was like."

Paul Kelsey, 54, from Barns Green, near Horsham, said: "It is terrific the Albion are up. The only problem is that the stadium at Withdean is too small. We must get a new ground."

Albion may now clinch consecutive championships if they beat Swindon in front of a sell-out 7,000 crowd at Withdean on Saturday.