We're feeling just champion!

In terms of the victory that brought Accrington the UniBond League Premier Division title the Reds had had to be patient.

In terms of the season Stanley have been in pole position for all but the opening weeks and sometimes it felt like an age before that finishing line would be reached.

But, most importantly in terms of this famous old club, the current crop of Reds have tantalisingly put a return to the Football League firmly on the agenda.

A gap of some 41 years and a little over a month lies between the present and the fateful day that Football League founder members Accrington lost their status of 74 years when the club was wound up in the High Court on March 6, 1962.

Now Stanley could be as close as just 12 months away from completing a stunning resurrection after their wander in the wilderness.

And if the group of players who confirmed themselves champions on Saturday have anything to do with it, then the coming campaign in the Nationwide Conference could be a successful one.

Stanley this season have developed a mental toughness that has served them well.

The previous season the Reds perhaps played some more expansive football as they captured three cups, but this term they have been far more consistent and proved themselves capable of picking up points even when they have not been at their best.

The clinching victory over Altrincham was proof of what manager John Coleman has instilled in his side - they have to be winners to a man.

The Robins arrived determined not to be turned over and were pretty much in the contest until the final few minutes.

Indeed the first half saw Alty perhaps have more control over the flow of the game even if they weren't creating as many chances as Stanley.

In fact the home side looked a little tentative with skipper Pete Cavanagh perhaps suffering the most as he tried to deal with the threat of former Accrington players Barry Shuttleworth and Paul 'Coco' Robertson raiding down the left.

But to their credit Accrington threatened throughout and were unlucky not to score as early as the fifth minute when a Rory Prendergast cross was flicked goalward by striker James but Alty keeper Richard Acton was well positioned.

Robins midfielder Ian Craney had perhaps their best chance of the half three minutes later as he danced through three tackles and got wide of Reds keeper Jamie Speare but was at too acute an angle to find the target with his shot.

Twice Stanley were denied by the woodwork in the first half as a superb 20 yard strike by midfield magician Mike Marsh came out off the underside of the crossbar and then striker Paul Mullin beat Acton with an angled effort but saw the ball run clear off the foot of a post.

But just as the half looked set to end goalless Prendergast chased a ball into the Robins' box, he tangled with defender Gary Talbot who tumbled on top of the ball and was deemed to have handled by referee Gary Kellett.

Alty rightly protested, but James kept his cool to tuck away the spot kick.

Seconds later Altrincham assistant manager Dalton Steele failed to keep his cool after Stanley's Steve Hollis was very fortunate not to be cautioned for a bad challenge on Peter Band, and he was sent from the dug-out by Kellett.

His passion rubbed off on the game as the second half was a far better contest and Alty got right back in it on 66 minutes.

Robertson sent Craney into the penalty area, Cavanagh clipped his heel and Shuttleworth equalised from the spot kick.

It silenced the Stanley crowd a touch but they were buoyant again four minutes later as the tannoy announced that Barrow, the only side who could stop Accrington taking the title, were 2-1 down at Ashton United and had just missed a penalty.

The place and the players were electrified again and Stanley put their foot on the gas.

Andy Proctor and Prendergast went close before defender Steve Halford restored Stanley's lead on 78 minutes.

A Marsh corner was lost by Acton and in the melee Halford managed to send a header goalward. The ball was cleared but to Stanley's joy the assistant referee ruled Halford's effort had already crossed the line.

Stanley then benefited from the ten minute delay to kick-off as the turnstiles had struggled to cope with admitting a crowd of 2,263. The news came through Barrow had drawn 2-2 and a win would make the title Accrington's.

Five minutes from time reds keeper Jamie Speare, a spectator most of the game, produced a wonderful save to deny Craney an equaliser and within minutes Stanley had whipped the ball back upfield where Cavanagh and Marsh combined to send James galloping though the Robins rearguard to seal victory with Stanley's third.

Cue a party that will no doubt continue for the remainder of the season.

Then comes the summer wait for the start of the new Nationwide Conference season - but then good things come to those who wait!

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 3 Scorers: James 44 pen 89, Halford 780

ALTRINCHAM 1 Scorer: Shuttleworth 66 pen

At The Crown Ground Att: 2,263