Clayton Donaldson has dedicated Brentford's promotion to the memory of his late mum, who passed away in February last year.
Donaldson admitted it has been a tough year for him since learning of his mother's death after Brentford's FA Cup fourth round replay exit to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
But he feels she will have been looking down with pride at her son helping Brentford clinch a return to the second tier for the first time in 21 years.
He said: “It was very trying for me this time last year, but after I got through that I had a good feeling about this year, and I knew it would be a good year for me.
“All my goals have been for my mum, and this promotion is for her too. She has always been my inspiration, and I know she will be looking down at me with a proud smile.”
The Bees let slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at MK Dons yesterday, but Donaldson's goal in front of more than 3,000 partying Bees fans will live long in the memory anyway.
He added: “I made a good run off the ball and Adam Forshaw put a good ball, which I was just hoping to get a clean strike on.
“In the end, it wasn't the cleanest of strikes, but sometimes they're the best ones, and it caught the keeper off guard. I missed one in the first half, but I felt I would get a goal today.
“It was great to score in front of what was a great away following too. It was fantastic support, and it felt like a home game for us.”
