In the end it was fate.

A season that has seen Burnley go toe to toe with some of the biggest clubs in the world will see them compete on equal terms next season after the Clarets won promotion to the Premier League in sensational circumstances at Wembley.

A gripping final, featuring two determined teams with contrasting styles, was settled in a moment of pure magic when Wade Elliott, the winger-turned central midfield dynamo, rifled an unstoppable 13th minute drive past Paddy Kenny.

It was a sublime moment and one that will live long in the memories of all Clarets fans, as it ended a 33-year exile from the top table of English football.

No more the butt of jibes from rivals a few miles down the M65. No more the nearly boys.

This time, it was our time as Owen Coyle's heroes grabbed their opportunity to earn a seat at the top table next season.

And how fitting, 50 years on from the famous Clarets side that was crowned champions of England, to see one of football's founding members back in the big time as those past heroes watched from the stands!

How proud they would have been after Coyle's Clarets withstood an early barrage from Sheffield United.

How impressed they would have been with the lightening counter attacking that spread panic through the Blades ranks as the game wore on.

And how overjoyed they - and 36,000 Lancastrians were as Elliott's scintillating strike lit up the biggest stage to settle an absorbing contest.

The Clarets sprung no surprises with their team selection, operating with Steven Thompson as a spearhead and Martin Paterson and Robbie Blake supporting from wide roles.

United had to deal with injuries to Darius Henderson and Jamie Ward, which omitted the first and ensured the latter would start from the bench - but ultimately fail to end the game!

There was an early burst of pressure from the Yorkshiremen, albeit with little end product.

And it was the first real opening of the game that produced the all-important goal.

Elliott was creator-in-chief, swivelling away from two men in midfield and penetrating the heart of the defence before trying to slide in Chris McCann.

Matthew Kilgallon slid in to intervene, but as the ball fell kindly for Elliott, the Clarets central midfielder arrowed an unstoppable drive into the top right hand corner.

Cue scenes of jubilation and pandemonium as one half of Wembley erupted in a sea of claret and blue.

McCann succumbed to an innocuous knee injury midway through the half, replaced by Joey Gudjonsson on the Icelandic midfielder's 29th birthday.

And the change made little impact on the shape of the game. United continued to huff and puff, while Burnley created the better openings.

Martin Paterson, whose goal at Reading had a huge impact on the semi final, was inches away with a similar curler after cutting in from the right n the half hour.

And as half time approached United had a half hearted appeal for a penalty for a foul on Brian Howard by Graham Alexander - while Brian Jensen was resigned to plucking the ball out of the air and grabbing speculative long range shots that carried little threat.

The second half began with Burnley in the ascendancy and nine minutes in came the moment Burnley could have sealed things.

Paterson's delicious deep right wing cross found the head of strike partner Thompson and his header back across goal was perfect for Gudjonsson, who could not believe his luck as his goalbound poke from three yards inadvertently struck Nick Montgomery on the heel and bobbled just wide.

United were growing increasingly desperate and Ward replaced the ineffective Cotterill to try to liven up a strike force that was superbly marshalled by the Burnley defence - and in particular a determined Clarke Carlisle.

And still the chances fell Burnley's way. In the 66th minute Thompson beat the offside trap and crossed for Blake, who seemed a certain scorer from 10 yards until Kyle Walker made a magnificent intervention.

That was Blake's last meaningful contribution, as the striker made way for Chris Eagles, soon to be followed soon by Thompson, replaced by Burnley-born Jay Rodriguez.

And amid the chances, United had their only half chance of the afternoon; Ward breaking the offside trap only to see his attempt from a tight angle blocked by Jensen.

Ward was soon booked for deliberate handball, trying to flick on a punt from Kenny.

And he would soon pay the ultimate penalty, shown a red card for an identical offence as he tried to gain an advantage from a ball over the top.

Inbetween, Burnley spurned yet another chance to put the game to bed as Eagles fed Paterson, only for Kyle Naughton to block his drive.

Despite two more substitutions, United could not conjure up anything to threaten the Clarets' priceless lead.

And so the Clarets were in dreamland; 61 games into a mammoth season that no fans will ever forget.

In among them, a trip to Wembley was denied Coyle's Clarets.

In the end however, fate played its part!

Burnley: Jensen, Duff, Carlisle, Caldwell, Kalvenes, Elliott, Alexander, McCann (Gudjonsson 27), Blake (Eagles 69), Thompson (Rodriguez 73), Paterson.
Subs Not Used: Penny, McDonald.

Booked: Carlisle, Kalvenes

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naughton, Montgomery, Howard (Lupoli 82), Cotterill (Ward 58), Stephen Quinn (Hendrie 85), Halford, Beattie.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Bromby.

Sent Off: Ward (80), Hendrie (after whistle)

Booked: Ward, Lupoli

Att: 80,518

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral)