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.
9. Thumbs up!
This confident trio are all set for the big game. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid
10. Ready for the game!
Pools were just eight minutes from winning promotion to the Championship. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid
11. Flag waving!
This group of fans were all smiles before the game. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid
12. Pre-match drink to settle the nerves!
Pools put up an excellent fight and were so close to winning promotion. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid