Notts County PROMOTED to League 2
County win 4-3 on penalties in the National League play-off final at Wembley
Last updated 13th May 2023
Notts County have been promoted back to League 2, after beating Chesterfield 4-3 on penalties at Wembley Stadium.
County experienced play-off heartache in four of the past five seasons, but now they'll play in the English Football League once again, joining Wrexham as the two sides to go up.
Chesterfield were resilient in their defending all game, but County found a way to drag themselves back into the tie twice - before substitute keeper Archie Meir won the Magpies the game with his two terrific penalty saves.
First half highlights
Chesterfield got off to a lighting start through Andrew Dallas, who won and converted a penalty in just the second minute of the game, after County keeper Sam Slocombe brought him down in the box.
County then began to create their own problems around the 23 minute mark, losing the ball on the edge of the area, but their defence stood firm and Chesterfield were unable to significantly test Slocombe for a second time.
After 35 minutes County started controlling the game through midfielder John Bostock who was the most creative plater on the pitch, but the Magpies couldn't unlock Chesterfield's defence.
The Spireites, on the other hand, looked dangerous on the break and forward Andrew Dallas looked quick and lively. County's superstar goal-scorer Macauley Langstaff barely had a touch in the first half and never really looked like worrying keeper Ross Fitzsimons.
SECOND HALF
From the start of the second half Notts County were in full control of the game but Chesterfield's defence was watertight, limiting the Magpies to free kicks in wide positions.
County's hero in the semi-finals, Jodi Jones, did start to make a difference with his direct runs, after coming on as a sub at 55 minutes - but, still, the Spireites held firm.
Just after the hour mark, there was a big chance for Chesterfield to double their lead, with a driven shot across the goalkeeper from Colclough, who couldn't find the angle.
Heading into the last ten minutes of normal time County looked lack of ideas, after putting in two poor crosses which both went out for a goal kick.
But, on 87 minutes, John Bostock - the player of the match - whipped a free kick from the left hand side of the 12-yard-box underneath Fitzsimons, who couldn't keep the ball out of the net.
EXTRA TIME
Just like the start of the match, Chesterfield instantly took the lead, this time in extra time with a screamer from Armando Dobra who stunned County by lifting it in over Sam Slocombe.
At 100 minutes in, Langstaff had his first real chance of the game, running beautifully off his defender, but dragging his shot just wide.
Langstaff had another snapshot a few minutes later when he was played through, but he rolled the ball into the arms of Fitzsimons, who gratefully collected at his near post.
Two minutes into the second half of extra time, County equalize for a second time - Ruben Rodrigues looping the ball up off the turf and over the keeper. Lovely finish.
Underdogs Chesterfield versus serial play-off contenders County
Chesterfield fans considered themselves underdogs coming into the tie, finishing the season on 23 points less than County.
But neither the Spireites or the Magpies cruised through the play-off semi finals, with both clubs needing extra-time to beat their respective opposition 3-2.
Before today, both teams had been stuck in the National League for at least four years. Notts County were relegated in the 2018-19 League 2 season, while Chesterfield went down the year before.