On Bank Holiday Sunday, May 29, 2005, Pools were just eight minutes from the unchartered waters of football’s second tier when a controversial penalty turned the League One play-off final decidedly against them.
With centre-back Chris Westwood harshly dismissed for fouling Drew Talbot, opponents Sheffield Wednesday levelled from the spot before eventually triumphing 4-2 in extra-time against caretaker boss Martin Scott’s weary 10 men.
Second-half goals from strikers Eifion Williams and Jon Daly had earlier given Pools - roared on by nearly 17,000 fans at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium - a deserved lead against their big-city rivals.
Re-live the drama of the day with our second gallery of images from the weekend, via Frank Reid.
5. Thousands of Pools fans made the trip
Re-live the drama of the day – on and off the pitch – with our gallery of images, via Frank Reid. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid
6. Confidence was high before kick-off
It all ended in tears sadly but the fans did the town proud. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid
7. Great support!
Fans wore club colours, took flags and wore hats. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid
8. All set for the big game!
It was a warm, sunny day as Pools and Sheff Wed took to the pitch. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid