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This is the story of the last three crucial matches of Leicester City's 2008-09 season. The teams vital push for promotion.

That promotion was pretty well assured, but the last games of the season were watched (and listened to) with bated breath.

On 13 April 2009 City played Leeds United at home. It was described, accurately, as the biggest game of the season.

Milton Keynes Dons, playing Bristol Rovers, had to drop points if City were to be absolutely certain of promotion.

In the dying moments of the game, Leicester's Steve Howard scored the only goal of the match at the Walker's Stadium. Great was the jubilation.

Listen: The Last Three Games...

A nail biting end to the season - Listen here...

Now everything depended on how Milton Keynes did.

City manager Nigel Pearson, with typical phlegm, said he wouldn't be listening to or watching the crucial match.

"I'll be spending some time with family and friends and having a couple of glasses of wine.

"I can't change anything by watching or listening to it [the game] so I won't put myself through the stress.

"I think I'll see if there's an old black and white war film on the television this afternoon and watch that."

The fans were not that calm!

A Crucial Test

In the event Milton Keynes beat Bristol Rovers by two goals to one. City fans faced another crucial test of their abilities.

On Saturday 18 May 2009 they met Southend at Roots Hall Stadium.

Matty Fryatt, Leicester City's goal ace, stamped his indelible mark on this title-winning season with a glorious double.

His 31-goal haul had been the bedrock of City's instant return to the Championship.

He was elated. As was Nigel Pearson in his inimitable low-key way. "Well, it feels very good... It's been a tough season," he laconically remarked.

The City chairman, Milan Mandaric, was rather more demonstrative. "I'm so delighted we made it. And made it so convincingly. We didn't just sneak through!... I'm very excited about it."

And he was full of praise for the fans who had stuck by the club.

Now he was looking to carry that winning momentum forward into next season.

Although Leicester City's promotion was now assured there was still one home game to go and City wanted to end the season in conquering style.

The result was a two all draw against Scunthorpe at home.

These three games represented a breath-taking end to an historic season and we were left wondering whether we would, in future, speak about the "Nigel Pearson" years in the same way that we talk about the Martin O'Neil years".