• Luton Town 1-2 York City
It might not have matched the nerve-jangling exploits of Manchester City, West Ham United and Chelsea over the past week or so but, for York City, it meant everything. A goal in each half saw off the threat of Luton Town in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final at Wembley and returned them to the Football League after an eight‑year absence.
Victory completed a remarkable nine days for York in which they won the FA Trophy, had permission granted for a new 6,000-seater community stadium on the outskirts of the city and then regained their League status. For Luton, the treble was one of dismay, having lost in the Conference play‑offs for the third year in succession, the last two at the final hurdle.
The 30,000 orange-clad fans of Luton outnumbered their rivals by about five to one. Not surprising, really, considering the York supporters would have had to fork out another not inconsiderable sum to travel to Wembley for a second time in eight days. In the Trophy final, they had defeated Newport County 2-0.
Since Luton left the Football League three years ago, a 30‑point deduction for financial irregularities proving too much to overcome, they have lost to York in the 2010 semi-finals and to AFC Wimbledon in the final last year.
They made the brightest of starts, going ahead after 72 seconds. Robbie Willmott weaved in from the left flank and released Andre Gray to guide a shot in via the far post. Orange ecstasy. It did not last long, though, with York's more fluent approach work being eventually rewarded when Chris Smith hooked the ball back for Ashley Chambers to lash it into the roof of the net.
York, who finished fourth in the regulation campaign, one slot and two points ahead of Luton, gained further reward two minutes into the second half, in controversial circumstances. Daniel Parslow nodded on Lanre Oyebanjo's long throw and Matty Blair, clearly in an offside position before Parslow's flick, tucked the ball home. But there was no flag, and the goal was given.
Luton did rally late on but flattered to deceive. York stood their ground, even during four frantic minutes of stoppage time, and are back in the League. Read More
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