Hartlepool United back in the Football League
They beat Torquay United on penalties in the National League play-off final
Last updated 20th Jun 2021
Hartlepool are back in the English Football League after four years away.
But a dramatic stoppage-time strike from Torquay's GOALKEEPER threatened to derail their quest to win the Vanarama National League play-off final.
Luke Armstrong's first-half strike looked to have secured Pools' return to League Two, with Torquay seeing two Kyle Cameron goals ruled out, but right at the death Brazilian 'keeper Lucas Covolan intervened to make it 1-1.
He raced into the Pools box for a Torquay corner, which was cleared, but when the ball was lumped back forward from deep on the right, Covolan rose to nod past James - forcing them into extra time.
It remained 1-1 after that 30 minutes - so on to penalties....
Four straight misses got nerves jangling until six straight spot-kicks were converted and sudden death was required.
After Ryan Donaldson scored for Pools, Torquay's Matt Buse saw his effort pushed on to the bar by James, confirming promotion for Dave Challinor's men and banishing memories of Covolan's sucker punch.
The match was played at Bristol City's Ashton Gate stadium - With Wembley in use for Euro 2020.
Hartlepool were relegated from League Two in 2017, but now they're back!