The average travel time of a Yeovil Town supporter reduced dramatically as Hartlepool United saw off Gary Johnson’s Torquay United on penalties in a dramatic play-off final at Ashton Gate.
The Poolies won it 5-4 on penalties with Yeovil-born midfielder Matt Buse missing the all-important spot kick for the Devon side.
The game went to extra time after Torquay goalkeeper Luca Covolan scored a dramatic equaliser in the 95th minute
Hartlepool had looked like they were destined to win it in ordinary time after Luke Armstrong, who is on loan from Salford City, scored his 15th goal for the club gave them a 35th minute lead.
The North East side were on top for the majority of normal time but as the clock began to tick down, Johnson’s men began to lay siege on the Pools’ goal.
It looked as if they had weathered the storm until in the fifth minute of injury time when a high ball in to the box was met by a glancing header from the Brazilian Covolan, who had gone forward for an earlier set piece.
In the shoot-out, neither side scored the first two spot kicks with Covolan saving both Hartlepool’s opening two efforts.