BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: Nicky Featherstone and Ryan Donaldson of Hartlepool United lift the Vanarama National League Trophy during the Vanarama National League Play-Off Final match between Hartlepool United and Torquay United at Ashton Gate on June 20, 2021 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: Nicky Featherstone and Ryan Donaldson of Hartlepool United lift the Vanarama National League Trophy during the Vanarama National League Play-Off Final match between Hartlepool United and Torquay United at Ashton Gate on June 20, 2021 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: Nicky Featherstone and Ryan Donaldson of Hartlepool United lift the Vanarama National League Trophy during the Vanarama National League Play-Off Final match between Hartlepool United and Torquay United at Ashton Gate on June 20, 2021 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

One year on: Hartlepool United's National League promotion success against Torquay United

It’s a day which will be forever ingrained into the history of Hartlepool United.

At the fourth time of asking, Pools had the chance to end their misery in the National League and make a return to the Football League.

Times were hard. With the COVID-19 pandemic still troubling the world it meant little over 3,000 supporters could make the trip to Bristol City’s Ashton Gate stadium, but it was a trip that will live with those supporters for a lifetime.

The scores were level in terms of victories between Pools and Torquay United that season after Dave Challinor’s side avenged a Halloween horror show with a clinical 1-0 victory at Plainmoor in March.

But neither side could muster up enough to dislodge Sutton United from the National League title as both would have to settle for a spot in the play-offs.

Pools brushed aside Bromley at the Suit Direct Stadium before a hard-fought win over Stockport County booked their spot in the final.

And when Luke Armstrong gave Pools a first half lead, supporters began dreaming of a return to the Football League.

But in the most dramatic of circumstances, Torquay goalkeeper Lucas Covolan grabbed a 95th minute equaliser to send the tie into extra-time before, ultimately, a place in the Football League would be decided by a penalty shootout.

Step forward Brad James and the rest, as they say, is history.

But just in case you needed reminding, here are some of the best pictures from a truly memorable afternoon at Ashton Gate as Pools clinched promotion.

The scores were level in terms of victories between Pools and Torquay United that season after Dave Challinor’s side avenged a Halloween horror show with a clinical 1-0 victory at Plainmoor in March.