Harrogate stunned Notts County at Wembley to claim a place in the English Football League for the first time in their history.
The North Yorkshire side ran out deserved 3-1 winners in the Vanarama National League play-off final after a dominant display at the national stadium.
George Thomson and Connor Hall put Town into a commanding lead in the first half and Jack Diamond settled the contest after Callum Roberts gave County hope.
Aaron Martin and Jon Stead also hit the woodwork on a historic afternoon for Harrogate that condemned County, founder members of the Football League, to a second successive season outside of it.
Harrogate were not fazed on what was the biggest occasion in their history and started superbly, with Thomson sliding in to turn home Ryan Fallowfield’s cross after just five minutes.
Martin almost added a second soon after when he dragged a shot narrowly wide but Hall did strike on 28 minutes when he diverted in a Thomson free-kick at the back post.
The Magpies were struggling and were fortunate to escape further damage when Martin thumped a close-range effort against the post.
However, they rallied after the break and pulled a goal back with their first shot on target after 46 minutes as Roberts curled in a fine free-kick.
They pushed for an equaliser but were caught out when Stead fed Jack Muldoon and his cross was turned in by Diamond on 70 minutes.
Harrogate goalkeeper James Belshaw, Nottingham-born and a former County academy player, prevented a frantic finish with a good save to deny Kyle Wootton.
Stead then almost had the final word when he hit the post late on.
Reaction
- Simon Weaver
Harrogate manager admitted feeling ecstatic after his side stunned Notts County to claim a place in League Two.
Weaver told BT Sport: “I’m ecstatic at the moment. It hasn’t really penetrated my brain yet. We’ve won the game and it’s a brilliant feeling.
“It’s down to the hard graft of honest lads and honest backroom staff. The culmination of all that has seen us at Wembley and beating Notts County.
“It’s been a great season. I’m so glad we had the chance to finish it off and we have done.
“You could feel it and sense it throughout the season, that something special could happen, and it has done. Everyone has played their part in a brilliant win.
“The only sad thing is we haven’t had the fans with us but we’ve got it all to look forward to now. What a challenge. We’re going to enjoy the moment.”
- Neal Ardley
Notts County manager said: “We knew they would come out fast. They have got a record of scoring first and coming at teams.
“We worked hard to be ready for it but ultimately, on the day, the best team won.
“In the first half they were at it. We were little bit at sixes and sevens.
“We changed things around at half-time and got some momentum, got that goal, and that’s when it was in the balance.
“But we needed to make sure we didn’t concede and unfortunately we didn’t. That killed us off.”