As it Happened: Notts County prevail on penalties to return to the EFL

To some surprise, it was the Spireites that took the lead early on, as Andy Dallas converted from the penalty spot, after Notts 'keeper Sam Slocombe took out an opposing attacker, just six minutes in.

Notts County pushed for an equalizer and just seemed to lack a bit of attacking prowess and clinical in the box, and when all hope seemed to be running out, it was once again the late, late show.

With two minutes of the ninety remaining, John Bostock struck a free kick low from range, forcing Ross Fitzsimons to fumble the ball as it snuck into the bottom corner, pumping life back into the final.

However, Luke Williams' side were fired back to square one in the early stages of extra-time - Armando Dobra was allowed room to cut inside and curl a wonderful effort into the top corner.

Once more though, Notts managed to level for a second time, as Ruben Rodrigues struck from the edge of the box, to send the ball bouncing into the back of the net three minutes after restarting the second half.

Neither team could muster that killer goal in the limited time remaining, therefore a penalty shootout would decide who earns promotion back to the EFL.

It all came down to Cedwyn Scott for the Magpies, after Archie Mair had pulled off a couple of great saves, and Scott made no mistake in sending the stopper the wrong way to boost County back where they belong.

While he only came on as a substitute in added time of extra time, goalkeeper Archie Mair has forged his name into County folklore.

After Sam Slocombe's dodgy start to the game which saw him cost Notts an early penalty, it was probably the plan for Luke Williams to replace him with the 22-year-old, who he judged to be the better shot-stopper.

And to the delight of Magpies fans, he sure did make his presence worthy, keeping out two spot-kicks, one being an outstanding leg save.

Ultimately, it is Mair who is a hero on this famous day for the club, and I highly doubt he will sleep much tonight after that drama, nor will anyone else related to Notts County Football Club.

 

This might seem controversial but our player of the match has to go to one of the members of the Chesterfield backline.

To be able to hold Notts County back from scoring for 88 minutes is quite the achievement to say they are one of the best attacking sides in the National League.

Clements was the equivalent of a rock for the majority of the whole game, and managed to play all 120 minutes, somehow unlucky not to get the win over the line with the Spireites.

 

There is the confirmation: Notts County are EFL!

 

Take a look at a few of the top snaps from an incredible Promotion Final!

(Photos by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Notts County are now making the traditional walk up the Wembley steps to collect their trophy and celebrate promotion...

Notts County can FINALLY celebrate - they are back in the Football League!

Archie Mair and Cedwyn Scott are the heroes, and it is delight, pure delight for the fans, the players and the staff.

Ultimately, it is what they deserve, and they have managed to do it in the most dramatic fashion, emerging victorious on penalties.

Potentially the last chance of extra-time as Jones curls one wide of the top corner.

And a goalkeeping change for Notts as Archie Mair comes on for Slocombe, in preparation for penalties (if it comes down to that).

A forced change for Notts County as Aden Baldwin makes way for Richard Brindley.

It looks like it will be penalties...

Grimes is booked for Chesterfield.

The atmosphere is electric, a lot of noise coming from the end plastered with black and white!

Dobra has been replaced by Laurence Maguire for Chesterfield.

Here we go for the final fifteen minutes...

The ball rolls out to Rawlinson on the edge of the Chesterfield box, and he hits it perfectly towards goal, but watches it fly inches past the post.

With the 'keeper unmoved, almost everyone assumed it was heading in.

Palmer threads a through ball down the line for Langstaff, who tries to sneak one beyond Fitzsimons at his near post, but the 'keeper is equal to it and gets down to hold.

It has taken a long time, but there it is - the usual yellow card for Jeff King.

That's his 14th of the season.

CHANCE! Top scorer Langstaff makes a run through the middle of the Blues defence, and in a great scoring position, drags so narrowly wide of the far post.

That was the big chance, and one which the striker usually takes.

Jodi Jones receives a yellow card for County.

Almost an instant response from Chesterfield as a scramble in the box sees players go down looking for a penalty, great defending from Notts before it is eventually cleared.

Brilliant stuff this is. Five minutes added on.

Moment of madness as Slocombe passes the ball out straight to a blue shirt, and thankfully for the goalkeeper, it is struck over the bar.

Not the most comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Matt Palmer whips it in from the right but it floats over everyone and goes out of play.

Time is running out for the Magpies.

Jones wins a dangerous free kick for Notts County...

The man who scored the goal which could take Chesterfield back where they belong, comes off the pitch:

⬆️ Joe Quigley

⬇️ Andy Dallas

An exceptional attendance of 38,138 inside Wembley Stadium today!

A few heart in mouth moments for Spireites fans inside Wembley, as County threaten.

As it stands, they know they are around twenty minutes away from promotion back to the Football League.

First substitution for Chesterfield, looking to frustrate their opponents:

⬆️ Ollie Banks

⬇️ Ryan Colclough

SO CLOSE! Notts County can't capitalize on their best chance of the game.

A free kick is looped into the area, the ball meets the head of Connell Rawlinson whose stooping header is agonizingly just wide of the top corner.

Second change for County:

⬆️ Cedwyn Scott

⬇️ Sam Austin

🟨 Darren Oldaker picks up the first yellow card of the match, and his manager Paul Cook receives the same caution.

Change for Notts, and it is the playoff semi-final hero who enters the fray:

⬆️ Jodi Jones

⬇️ Adam Chicksen

CHANCE! An excellent opening for Notts and it is Nemane and Austin combining again - the former pulls back to Austin on the edge of the box who takes one touch and hits it over the bar.

The winger will be hoping he doesn't have to live to regret that.

The next goal is going to be absolutely vital - we are back underway...

An interesting analytical insight into why Chesterfield have the lead at half-time, and all the tactics explained.

Paul Cook and his players will be more than satisfied at the break, as they have the all-important advantage over Notts County, and have one foot in the Football League with 45 to play.

Nemane continues to threaten for County, and musters a shot on target from an angle, his strike an easy stop for Ross Fitzsimons.

Notts are dominating the game in these closing stages of the first half but no real end product yet.

Notts are playing such a high line, and if they continue to stay that way, a Chesterfield second may well be on the horizon.

Chesterfield attack down the right through Liam Mandeville, who strikes towards goal with his effort parried out by Slocombe.

The Spireites look really well organized as expected for this huge game.

Again, it is Nemane down the right for Notts County, and he puts in another cross into the box, Austin is the man arriving once more but his header goes well over the bar.

Andy Dallas' sixth minute penalty is all that stands between the two sides so far...

Great work from Notts' Aaron Nemane who sprints past a couple of opposing defenders and fires in a dangerous cross.

Sam Austin can't quite get the finishing touch at point-blank range and it is eventually cleared.

Ruben Rodrigues the driving force for Notts' first opening, sliding a ball into the box but slightly too far away from Macaulay Langstaff to get a touch.

INCREDIBLE defending from Notts County to deny Jeff King a goalscoring opportunity inside the box.

A brilliant chance for Chesterfield after being awarded a free kick inside the box.

First attack for the Spireites. The ball is switched over to Ryan Colclough on the right and he tries bending a cross into the box, but it drifts out over the crossbar.

A special rendition of 'God Save the King' and we are all set to begin this huge, huge National League Promotion Final...

It all comes down to this. Ninety minutes (at least) stand between Chesterfield and Notts County and a spot in the EFL.

The atmosphere is electric inside the national stadium and kickoff is just minutes away.

Chesterfield manager Paul Cook has been speaking to BT Sport ahead of kickoff at 3:30 PM BST.

"We have one last big hurdle that will make our town so proud and we are determined to give it everything we have got."

Over 20,000 Notts County fans are expected to be in the ground by kickoff - simply unbelievable for the fifth tier 👏👏

Don't forget, if you are unable to make it to Wembley Stadium today, UK viewers can watch the game live on BT Sport 1.

Otherwise, you can rely on us here at VAVEL to keep you updated throughout the match and bring you all the post-match reaction too.

Luke Williams has also named an unchanged lineup following the semi-final win over Boreham Wood.

The Spireites' Promotion Final lineup is IN, and it is an unchanged side from Paul Cook!

Team news should be with us in around five minutes time - we will bring it to you as soon as we have it, so stay tuned.

To remind you of last Sunday's events, Bromley managed to take Chesterfield to extra-time with a last-minute goal, but with the man advantage, the Spireites got the job done thanks to a Liam Mandeville strike, which rounded off a fantastic 3-2 win to see his side progress to the all-important final.

Notts County also had to find a way in extra-time in their semi-final against Boreham Wood. The visitors took a shock two-goal lead heading into the break before Notts staged an incredible comeback to level in the dying moments of the ninety. More drama would unfold, as Jodi Jones sealed a spot at Wembley in quite some fashion, winning it in the final minute of extra-time.

Notts County boss Luke Williams has praised the County fans for their continued support throughout the season and urges one last big push today at Wembley.

Hear his full press conference here:

“You can have all the game plans in the world but if we don’t turn up and they do it’ll be tough” 

Chesterfield assistant manager Danny Webb has spoke ahead of today's game, and you can hear some of his thoughts here:

Good afternoon and welcome back to our live blog, where we will be bringing you all the pre-match details and in-game updates for a massive fixture at Wembley.

 

Chesterfield and Notts County prepare to battle it out in the Vanarama National League Promotion Final, where a return to the Football League is the prize at stake.

 

Considered the biggest game in National League history, a bumper crowd is expected in the capital.

That brings an end to our pre-live coverage, but fear not - we will be back with all the updates you need ahead of kickoff at Wembley, as it plays host to this eagerly anticipated playoff final.

Do not miss a detail of the Chesterfield vs Notts County match with live updates and commentaries on VAVEL.

Everyone I have spoken to in the lead-up to this hugely anticipated Promotion Final expects a tight but entertaining game and I am certainly no different.

In front of what will surely be the largest ever crowd for the final, arguably the biggest game in National League history will take place and given the nine months that Notts have endured, it would be wrong not to go with them for the win.

Chesterfield will no doubt pose a huge challenge for their opponents, but the latter are just so good at controlling possession and clinical going forward, that I can’t see past a Notts County victory - I will go for 3-1.