Summary

  • Hartlepool United promoted to League Two after beating Torquay 5-4 on penalties

  • Both sides miss first two penalties before keeper James saves from Buse in sudden death to send Pools up

  • Both sides have early goals disallowed before Armstrong fires Hartlepool in front

  • Keeper Covolan heads in equaliser for Torquay in 95th minute

  1. Farewellpublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    What a game to finish the 2020-2021 domestic season. Hartlepool will be a football league club next term.

    Read Brent Pilnick's report from Ashton Gate here.

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    We've loved bringing you all the best action across the football pyramid. Until we kick-off for the 2021-2022 campaign next August, stay safe all!

  2. Promotion 'massive' for Featherstonepublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 pens)

    Hartlepool captain Nicky Featherstone told BBC Radio Tees:

    "What a feeling. I have been here seven years and it's been a real struggle at times. I've had three owners and eight managers.

    "To be among the squad that was relegated and then to be part of the squad that has got the club back to where it belongs is massive personally for me."

  3. Postpublished at 17:18 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 on pens)

    From this.

    HartlepoolImage source, Getty Images

    To this.

    HartlepoolImage source, Rex Features
  4. Pools players 'showed great courage'published at 17:18 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 pens)

    Eddie Kyle
    Ex-Hartlepool assistant manager on BBC Radio Tees

    The Hartlepool players are in front of the fans and they are all celebrating together.

    It is a great moment. The players and fans had the stuffing kicked out of us when Torquay's Brazilian keeper scored in the 95th minute.

    But they showed great courage to come back from that.

  5. Postpublished at 17:14 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 on pens)

    Ryan Donaldson lifts the trophy.

    It's official. Hartlepool are promoted back to the Football League.

  6. Postpublished at 17:12 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 on pens)

    Celebrity fan Jeff Stelling is on the pitch celebrating with the players.

    By the way, Hartlepool have just become the first side to get promoted from the National League having finished outside of the top three in the league table.

    Underdogs.

  7. Hartlepool 'back where they belong'published at 17:10 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 on pens)

    Eddie Kyle
    Ex-Hartlepool assistant manager on BBC Radio Tees

    It's wonderful to get Hartlepool United back to where they belong - in the Football League.

    Spare a thought for Torquay because they have had a wonderful season.

  8. Postpublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 on pens)

    "We are going up say we are going up!!"

    The Hartlepool players are about to be handed the National League play-off final trophy.

  9. 'If we lost I wouldn't have slept for a week'published at 17:07 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 on pens)

    Hartlepool keeper Brad James told BT Sport: "I don't know what to say. A rollercoaster of emotions. We thought it was gone. But the lads worked hard. It's gone to penalties and I just went the right way.

    "I knew if I saved it we win it. I just committed that way, I don't know what happened after that.

    "A credit to these lads, they dug me out for that last goal. If I stayed [on my line] I'd have saved it. If we lost, I wouldn't have slept for a week.

    "It's unbelievable."

  10. Postpublished at 17:05 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 on pens)

    Hartlepool's keeper Brad James has just told BT Sport he thought the game was lost at full-time.

    Incredible.

  11. Postpublished at 17:03 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 on pens)

    Hartlepool promotedImage source, PA Media
  12. Postpublished at 17:02 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    FT: Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay (5-4 on pens)

    WHAT A GAME.

  13. Hartlepool are promotedpublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 20 June 2021
    Breaking

    Matt Buse's penalty is tipped on to the bar by Bradley James.

    HARTLEPOOL ARE BACK IN THE EFL!

  14. goal

    GOAL Hartlepool 5-4 Torquaypublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Ryan Donaldson

    Club captain Ryan Donaldson tucks his kick away.

  15. goal

    GOAL Hartlepool 4-4 Torquaypublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Connor Lemonheigh-Evans

    Connor Lemonheigh-Evans makes it. In the corner.

  16. goal

    GOAL Hartlepool 4-3 Torquaypublished at 16:57 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Daniel Elliott

    Daniel Elliott scores for Hartlepool. Pressure back on Torquay.

  17. goal

    GOAL Hartlepool 3-3 Torquaypublished at 16:57 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    It's in. Never in doubt and we go to sudden death.

  18. Hartlepool 3-2 Torquaypublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Armani Little to take.

  19. goal

    GOAL Hartlepool 3-2 Torquaypublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Luke Molyneux

    Luke Molyneux scores. Torquay must score this.

  20. goal

    GOAL Hartlepool 2-2 Torquaypublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Joe Lewis

    Joe Lewis sends the keeper the wrong wasy.

    2-2 after four each.