Collins expects calmer promotion scenes compared to his previous success
The MK Dons striker is on the cusp of his second League Two promotion
Every promotion has a back-story, but not many come better than Aaron Collins’ promotion at Bristol Rovers in 2022.
The MK Dons striker is on the brink of getting his second automatic exit out of League Two, with the side from MK1 able to secure their League One spot this weekend with victory against Tranmere Rovers at Stadium MK.
Even a point might be enough for Dons, with their sizeable goal-difference advantage over the chasing pack, but goal-difference deficits are not to be overlooked with the Welsh striker knowing all too well how quickly that can change.
Heading into the final day of the season in 2021/22, Northampton Town looked dead certs to win promotion, sitting third and facing Barrow, only needing to match Bristol Rovers’ result against already relegated Scunthorpe. The Pirates trailed the Cobblers by five goals, so subject to a wild turn of results, a Northampton win would likely be enough.
But while the side from just up the road from Milton Keynes were 3-1 winners, Rovers kept the bit between their teeth against the National League-bound Irons, with Collins bagging a second-half brace in a stunning 7-0 win. It meant they leapfrogged Northampton at the very death to snag the final automatic spot.
Dons head into the penultimate weekend knowing a win will be enough on Saturday to secure automatic promotion, but a draw would leave the door just about ajar for those chasing, despite a positive goal-difference of 30 over Salford and 17 over Notts County.
“It's a known saying in football that there's no better feeling than promotion,” Collins told Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s televised game with Tranmere.
“I still think about the promotion I had with Bristol Rovers. That was probably more unexpected than if we do get promoted here, just regarding the last day and everything that went on. That was more of a shock, an enjoyable shock.
“Here, we've come into form at the right time and we're going into the last games with massive confidence.
“I would have spent maybe 50 per cent of this season out injured, but being able to be involved in the other 50 per cent and play my part and be involved in a promotion with 25 to 30 lads is a feeling you cherish forever.