Novara tonight ended a 55-year absence from Serie A after winning the second leg of their play-off final 2-0 against ten-man Padova.

A goalless first leg on Thursday night meant the tie would come down to 90 minutes at the Stadio Comunale Silvio Piola. And it was the home side who seized the initiative early on.

Just 14 minutes had elapsed when Vinicio Cesar hauled down Pablo Andres Gonzalez as last man and the defender was shown a red card. Argentinian striker Gonzalez then added to the visitors' misery by lashing in the resulting free-kick.

The hosts made sure of their place alongside the big boys next season 20 minutes from time when Marco Rigoni netted.