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 – on and off the pitch – with our gallery of images, via Frank Reid.
5. Full of hope and expectation
Pools fans got into the spirit of the day with flags and banners. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid
6. Jeff Stelling
Jeff Stelling pictured with Pools fans before the game. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid
7. GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!
Second-half goals from strikers Eifion Williams and Jon Daly had earlier given Pools the lead. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid
8. Pools fans show their colours
It was a warm and sunny day as Pools looked to win promotion to the Championship. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Frank Reid