Hartlepool Beaten In Playoff Thriller

Hartlepool United have been confirmed as the final side that will take part in next season's League One competition, after they were beaten 4-2 in the playoff final by Sheffield Wednesday. A contraversial penalty and sending off decision by the match official eventually turned what had been an even contest in Wednesday's favour and the ex-Premiership outfit put the result beyond doubt through Daniel Talbot late strike in extra time.

Despite dominating the opening period, Wednesday were forced to wait until the last minute of the first half to break the deadlock, when the impressive John Paul McGovern toe-poked in Craig Rocastle's cross. However, Hartlepool were transformed in the second half and after equalising just minutes after half-time through Eifion Williams, the under-dogs fought their way into the lead when substitute John Daly headed home Gavin Strachan's cross.

However, the game turned on the dismissal of Hartlepool's Chris Westwood ten minutes from time, when the defender was adjudged to have denied Wednesday's Daniel Talbot a goal-scoring chance with a clumsy push. McLean equalised from the penalty spot before goals from Glenn Whelan and Talbot's late strike sent 40,000 Owls supporters home happy.