Hucknall Town clinch promotion with nerveless penalty shootout win over Birstall United

Hucknall Town secured promotion in dramatic circumstances on Saturday (29 April) as they beat Birstall United on penalties in the playoff final.

Courtesy of finishing in the higher league position during the regular season, the Leicestershire side hosted the crucial contest at their Meadow Lane ground.

Following a tense first half where neither goalkeeper had a save to make, the match burst into life early in the second half with two goals in the space of less than three minutes.

Kieran Knight gave The Yellows the lead with a composed finish after a corner had caused chaos and confusion in the Birstall box. The loose ball fell to Knight and he found the back of the net much to the jubilation of the travelling fans.

Hucknall's joy proved to be short lived however, as the referee awarded the hosts a penalty just two minutes after Knight's goal. Paul Pallett stepped up and beat Louis Kinnerley to level the scores.

Both sides had chances to win it in normal time with Joe Ashurst going close twice late on. The first was a header over the crossbar from a Knight cross, and the second a long range strike that went narrowly wide of the post.

At the other end Hucknall captain Aaron Short did enough to pressurise his opposite number and prevent him tapping in after Birstall had worked a good opportunity.

With the sides unable to be separated after 90 minutes, the match went straight to penalties.

Having won their semi-final against Bourne Town on penalties, Hucknall had been confident of repeating the feat, if necessary, in the build up to the match, and ultimately backed this up by delivering a high quality showing in the shootout.

They started the contest off and it was the experienced Ashurst who led by example, converting from the spot, and giving Hucknall the ideal start.

Pallett took Birstall's first spot kick but saw it brilliantly saved by Kinnerley and even though it was early on, the Hucknall fans began to genuinely believe it would be their day.

Short consolidated Hucknall's advantage by finding the back of the net with their second penalty for a 2-0 lead.

Sam Kee then got Birstall off the mark as he found the corner of the net.

Craig Westcarr helped maintain Hucknall's advantage with a good penalty before Sam Moore responded for the hosts.

Billy Brooks converted Hucknall's fourth to put them on the brink of victory and leave Birstall having to score to stay in the contest.

Dom Watts made no mistake for Birstall and forced Hucknall to take their final penalty.

Substitute Niall Towle stepped up and found the back of the net to confirm Hucknall's promotion with a 5-3 win on penalties, and cue wild celebrations on the pitch from the club's players, staff, and travelling fans.