Notts County produce another dramatic comeback to win National League play-off final on penalties

Notts County earned promotion to League Two via the play-offs, but they needed a penalty shootout against Chesterfield to do it.

Luke Williams' team needed luck, a never say die attitude and composure from the penalty spot, as they came from behind twice to win on penalties.

Andrew Dallas' early penalty had looked to be enough to earn the win for Chesterfield, only for County to pull off their usual late comeback with an 88th minute equaliser through John Bostock.

Armando Dobra's strike just three minutes into extra time looked to be enough, only for Ruben Rodrigues to strike with two minutes gone of the second half.

Chesterfield then missed two penalties, to County's one, and it meant the Magpies were back into the Football League.

WE'VE DONE IT!!!!! pic.twitter.com/iV4XlZYikQ

— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) May 13, 2023

In every other season of the National League, County would have earned automatic promotion back to the Football League, after their league campaign ended.

Williams' side earned 107 points over their 46 games, falling just four short of the Wrexham juggernaut, thanks in part to Ben Foster's late penalty save in the game between the sides.

With only one automatic promotion place on offer, it meant the Meadow Lane club had to drop down to the six team play-offs, getting a bye into the semi-finals.

Last week, County came mightily close to falling at their first hurdle as they went two goals down against Boreham Wood in the semi.

They required an equaliser deep into second half of injury time to take the game to extra time and the did the same at the end of the added 30 minutes to avoid penalties.

That set up a meeting at Wembley with Chesterfield who finished the league campaign in third place but so far behind County they never had a chance of being part of the automatic fight.

Aside from the huge points difference, Williams' side had also won the away game in the league whilst they'd drawn at home to the Spireites.

As with the game against Boreham Wood, the favourites started the game poorly and found themselves behind after just six minutes.

Goalkeeper Sam Slocombe brought someone down, having previously given away an indirect free kick in the area, and Dallas slotted home from the spot.

The Magpies equalise minutes from time 🤯

John Bostock comes up with a huge goal for @Official_NCFC in the play-off final! pic.twitter.com/mToi35x1Oi

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 13, 2023

Chesterfield continued to have the better of the chances in the first half and kept the lead, which County were struggling to come back from.

They plugged away in the second half, without ever looking too threatening, and once again looked to be failing at their attempts at promotion.

However they equalised late on once again, in now typical fashion, with former Tottenham Hotspur player Bostock scoring a free kick at the near post, with keeper Ross Fitzsimons not covering himself in glory.

Magic finish from Armando Dobra ✨@ChesterfieldFC are back in front in the opening minutes of extra-time! pic.twitter.com/SORaEco3Bq

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 13, 2023

With just three minutes on the clock at the start of extra time, Dobra curled in a brilliant finish from the edge of the area, leaving Slocombe no chance.

However, it took just two minutes of the second half of extra time for Rodrigues to level things up again, with a finish into the ground that bounced over the keeper.

Williams then took a gamble by removing Slocombe with moments left of the additional 30 minutes and replacing him with Archie Mair.

The young Scotsman saved two penalties in the shootout, whilst Bostock's ridiculous chip attempt hit the crossbar for County, earning their promotion.