Robinson living the dream as Lions go up

PAUL ROBINSON admitted he had fulfilled a childhood dream by scoring the winning goal at Wembley and leading his side up the stadium’s famous steps as Millwall celebrated promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship.

The Lions skipper grabbed the only goal of Saturday’s tense League One play-off final to deservedly see off a Swindon side who failed to live up to their true potential.

Robinson’s moment of glory arrived in the 39th minute as Danny Schofield’s corner evaded everyone in Town’s six-yard box and, having seen the ball bounce off his body, the centre-back swivelled to smash home from four yards.

His goal banished the memory of Millwall’s heartbreaking defeat to Scunthorpe in the final just 12 months ago and ensured the south London club finally triumphed in the play-offs at the sixth time of asking.

Robinson, who admitted he would be sleeping with the trophy on Saturday night, said: “I just managed to react quickly and put it in the net.

“To captain a team, to score the winning goal and to lift up a trophy at Wembley – as a kid kicking around in the back garden that’s all I ever dreamed of. It’s a special day.

“We’ve got a squad of heroes, that will go down in history. We’re the first Millwall team to achieve that (play-off success) and we knew it was possible.”

MILLWALL: Forde, Barron, Robinson, Ward, Craig (Frampton 44), Schofield, Trotter, Abdou, Batt (Hackett 70), Morrison, Harris.

SWINDON: Lucas, Amankwaah, Cuthbert, Jean-Francois, Sheehan (Darby 67), McGovern (O’Brien 73), Douglas, Ferry, Ward, Austin, Paynter (Pericard 81).

Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne & Wear).