AN emotional Micky Mellon couldn't hide his delight and relief after 10-man Tranmere produced a herculean effort to overcome Boreham Wood at Wembley and return to the Football League.

Goals from Andy Cook and James Norwood in each half outnumbered Bruno Andrade’s equaliser ending Rovers’ three year stint in non-league football.

But they had to do it all with a man less, after Liam Ridehalgh was dismissed in the first minute.

Mellon dashed across the pitch in act of euphoria at the full time whistle, and made no attempt to conceal his joy in the post-match press conference.

He said: "I've had some special days in football and I'm blessed that I've had my fair share but I think with everything that we had to contend with – going down to 10 men after about a minute – to then come out on the right end of a result – we’re obviously delighted.

"We're delighted to get over the line.

"It means so much to the Football Club, you’d have to be involved inside the football club to see how desperately we need this.

"We've suffered. A lot of people have lost their jobs.

"I don’t want to start crying but it did mean that much to the club to get back in to the Football League.

"It’s an unbelievably proud moment not just for me and the players or the staff and the chairman.

"We really have fought hard to get out because it’s difficult to be Tranmere in this league.

"We're everybody’s big game.

"We have to have a certain type of character to make sure we overcome that every week and players have done that, so we’re really pleased to get over the line."

Mellon had no complaints about Ridehalgh’s sending off but was less impressed with the amount of time added on before the interval.

He said: "He's maybe got caught up in the occasion. He’s been a bit reckless.

"You can’t leave the ground like that. You’re running the risk with being sent off so I wouldn’t really argue with that.

“The only thing I was disappointed with was the nine or ten minutes we played over time (in the first half).

"Since I’ve been in football I’ve never had that amount of overtime. That was tough to take.

"But then you get the boys in at half time and to show the character that they did and not be disappointed – you can be weak of mind and feel sorry for yourself – but they didn’t.

"They were calm and new their roles. They hung in there. It’s a very special day for Tranmere.”

Asked how he would celebrate, the Scot played a straight bat with his response.

He said: "I will enjoy the bus trip home that’s for sure. Where that takes me I cannot really tell you.

"The Glaswegian will no doubt climb out of me at some stage.

"I don’t care about that because you’ve got to enjoy these moments.

"Today will go down in Tranmere’s history for a long, long time and I’m just glad to have played a part in it."

The team will celebrate its return to league in front of the Kop at Prenton Park at 5pm today (Sunday).

They will presented to the fans with some interviews on the pitch, while there will be the opportunity to have a celebratory drink in our bars.

The Fan Park in the marquee will be open from 3pm while Dixie’s and Aldo’s will be open from 5pm.

The Club Store will also be open and, for one day only, season tickets will be available at Early Bird National League prices for League Two football!

Come down and show your appreciation to the players and staff who have worked so hard to get the team back into the league.