Hartlepool United 1 Torquay United 1 LIVE: Pools are back in the Football League after stunning 5-4 penalty shoot-out win
and live on Freeview channel 276
The final is taking place at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate stadium at 2pm today, with Dave Challinor’s side backed by 3,100 Pools fans who have travelled to the south west over the weekend.
Our team will keep you up-to-speed with the latest team and injury news ahead of kick-off, with rolling coverage of the game plus action, analysis and reaction to come over the course of the day.
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Hide AdDom Scurr, Rich Mennear and Frank Reid are in Bristol for the Mail to bring you unrivalled coverage as Pools look to win promotion back to the Football League after four years at this level.
Pools have beaten Bromley and Stockport County to reach the final.
Scroll down for the latest developments from Ashton Gate in our live blog.
Hartlepool United 1 (Armstrong, 34) Torquay United LIVE: Pools win 5-4 on penalties!!
Key Events
- Hartlepool face Torquay in the National League play-off final, kick-off is 2pm here in Bristol.
- A place in the Football League is at stake with the final played at Ashton Gate, there will be 3,100 Pools fans watching on.
- Pools: James; Ferguson, Johnson, Liddle, Odusina, Sterry; Featherstone, Shelton, Holohan; Oates, Armstrong
- Pools subs: Killip, Donaldson, Molyneux, Francis-Angol, Elliott
- Torquay: Covolan, Wynter, Cameron, Lemonheigh-Evans, Hall (c), Wright, Little, Randell, Sherring, Moxey, Lewis.
- Torquay subs: MacDonald, Buse, Andrews, Waters, Kimpioka.
60’ Torquay have another goal ruled out!
Cameron with another header ruled out for Torquay, second time now, a foul on James. The Pools keeper needs to be stronger when coming for these crosses and set plays though. Got away with two so far.
Was that a foul?
Virgo: ‘Is this a foul? Not it’s not. For me that is not a foul. I know goalkeepers get away with it sometimes in terms of minimal contact, but there’s no point jumping for it if you’re going to give free-kicks like that against goalkeepers.’
Chance! Hall goes close for Torquay
They are creating some good openings, Gary Johnson’s side. Hall this time sees an effort go just over the crossbar.
64 minutes on the clock now and pressure is building here at Bristol. Nervy times.
Thought the ref had given a penalty then but he was pointing to the goalkick
Tension and nerves are building here. The Gulls appeal for a penalty, turned down. Looked like the ref had pointed to the spot but it was for a goalkick.
Torquay keep going, they will be throwing everything at it shortly. 25 minutes to go here.
First sub of the afternoon and Oates departs to a standing ovation
Challinor makes his first sub in the 72nd minute, Oates departs after another relentless performance.
On comes Danny Elliott in his place for the final 20 minutes or so. Pools still leading 1-0 as we head into the latter stages of the game.
David Ferguson heads off for Pools, on comes Zaine Francis-Angol while Benji Kimpioka is on for Torquay, Cameron - who had two goals ruled out - departs.
Attendance: 6,606 is the official attendance here today.
Chances! Shelton and Holohan involved
Oh my days. Shelton sees an effort deflected wide for a corner. From that corner, Holohan sees a long-range effort saved by Covolan.
Randell has just seen an effort sail over for the Gulls as well as we tick towards full-time here.
Pools fans over on the far side in fine voice and have been for two days, Remarkable effort from all them. Great to see and witness.