Aspin hails his Halifax heroes as Conference beckons

Lee Gregory’s 26th goal of the season 15 minutes from time decided a closely-fought final, with Brackley largely outplayed on their own patch as the travelling 1,000 supporters from West Yorkshire were left delighted at the final whistle.

The victory sealed Town’s return to the Conference Premier five years after the club were demoted from the division, and is Aspin’s third promotion in four years as Shay boss.

He said: “It feels fantastic. It probably won’t sink in until I wake up but I’m really chuffed.

“The players have done fantastically well with all the obstacles thrown at them this year and they put in a really good performance today to get the result.

“You don’t expect a play-off final to be free-flowing and have lots of chances but I thought we were the better team throughout.

“I thought we started the best, pinned them into their half without really making any chances. It was the type of game where you knew the first goal was going to be important and I’m delighted we got it.”

The Town boss said the club’s promotion to the top tier of non-league football is the best of the three achieved during his tenure.

He added: “This is a difficult league to get out so to get to the Conference Premier in four years is probably better than expected.

“The first promotion was vital as it set the ball rolling but this is better as it was harder to achieve.

“It’s a great feeling. I’ve sensed over the last couple of weeks the players have had a real desire to get the results.

“I could sense in the dressing room that they’ve grown up in some respects, and they’ve played like men today.”

Aspin kept the same side that started the semi-final, second-leg at Guiseley, with Chris Worsley failing to recover in time from his ankle injury to feature.

Dan Gardner began in determined mood and looked keen to take Town up all by himself as he flashed a shot just wide of the far post early on.

But that was the closest either side would come for a while as both teams struggled to break down two well-organised defences.

However, Gardner saw another effort from nearly 30 yards out on the half volley fly just wide after flicking the ball away from a challenge.

Both league meetings between the clubs had finished goalless, and their third clash of the campaign appeared to be heading in the same direction.

The game wasn’t helped by blustery winds inside St James’ Park as neither team was able to establish a stranglehold on the contest.

But the match began to open up as the second half wore on, with Sean Williams finding space in the box before his shot was blocked, while Lee Gregory and Alex Johnson both saw shots drift off target.

Just as the game seemed to be heading towards extra-time, Gregory snapped up his chance to send the Town fans packed in behind the goal crazy.

There was little surprise that Gardner was the man who provided it as he initiated an incisive one-two with Williams before evading a challenge and firing towards goal. Billy Turley saved but the ball was lashed into the net by Gregory in front of the ecstatic away supporters.

Brackley marauded forward in search of an equaliser in front of the suddenly disconsolate home fans, but Town keeper Matt Glennon produced an outstanding save to tip wide a goalbound shot by Steve Diggin from the edge of the area.

From the resulting corner, the ball was headed inches wide by fellow substitute Owen Story as Brackley came agonisingly close to spoiling the Halifax party.

Brackley: Turley, Mulligan (Diggin 79), McDonald, Odhiambo (Story 86), Sharpe, Austin, Reid, Solkhon, Walker, Louis (Robinson 79), Winters. Unused substitutes: Nisevic, Walker.

FC Halifax: Glennon, Toulson (Bolton 46), McManus, Hogan, Pearson, Lowe, Needham, Williams, Johnson (Moke 73), Gardner, Gregory. Unused substitutes: Senior, Worthington, Seddon.

Halifax man of the match: Dan Gardner

Referee: D England (Barnsley).