Needing just a draw against promotion rivals Brighton, Boro were pegged back by a second-half equaliser from Dale Stephens who was later sent off as the Seagulls pressed desperately for the goal that would take them up instead.

Talk of a £200million jackpot seems obscene in a region recently blighted by steel redundancies, and the celebrations at the final whistle intimated Boro’s joyous supporters are more interested in a prize that money could not buy.

Seven years after sinking out of the top flight on the final day of the season, Aitor Karanka’s impressive if occasionally tumultuous revolution was complete, and some of the biggest clubs in the world will be back at the Riverside Stadium next season.

Brighton, who travelled north in search of their own fairytale 19 years after Robbie Reinelt’s goal at Hereford prevented them dropping out of the Football League, must now prepare themselves to seek promotion through the play-offs.

Chris Hughton’s Seagulls, who had soared back into automatic promotion contention on the back of a 13-match unbeaten run, knew only a win would be good enough to join Burnley back in the top fight for the first time since 1983.

The Clarets were crowned Sky Bet Championship champions with a thumping 3-0 win over already-relegated Charlton at The Valley.

Each goal was greeted with a chant of ‘Champeones’ from the visiting fans in the Jimmy Steed Stand, and a chorus of ‘We want Roland out’ by the home supporters.

Burnley’s celebrations during the match were marred by protests from Charlton fans, with the game being constantly interrupted as a number of flares were thrown onto the playing area and a fan ran onto the pitch.