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Winners of National League North Playoff Final seal promotion

The second Saturday afternoon playoff final came from the National League North, the winners of that seal promotion to the top tier of non league pyramid.

Hosts Boston United finished 3rd, whilst the the second finalist Altrincham were 5th, with the table based on points-per-game.

The Pilgrims had a bye to the semi finals whilst Alty had to start from the quarter finals.

Boston boss Craig Elliott oversaw his side’s very entertaining 5-3 win against Gateshead in their previous playoff tie.

Altrincham’s Phil Parkinson was happy to see his men come out 3-2 winners against Chester in the quarter final, before going on to beat the favourites York City 2-0.

Just like the National League South playoff final between Weymouth and Dartford, the first half was goalless.

There were early shouts for a penalty after 7 minutes, Boston’s Jordan Thewlis went down on the edge of the box under the challenge of Simon Richman, but referee Adam Herczeg played on.

Boston started the game the better of the two sides however neither keeper had been tested by the first drinks break.

Tom Platt could only slam an effort into the side-netting after meeting Andi Thanoj’s cross into the box in the 27th minute. A let off for Alty.

Toby Mullarkey advanced through the middle with the ball and hit one, however it was deflected behind and Alty had a corner, which was then comfortably collected.

Many a chance went begging for Boston until the half time whistle blew with the scoreline 0-0.

Altrincham started the second half better, Mullarkey pushed forward again and got another shot off. Moments before, Josh Hancock put a dangerous ball across the face of goal.

The visitors then came the closest to scorer, Hancock feeding the ball out wide to Elliott Durrell, who found Jordan Hume at the back post, out jumped Alex Whittle – and his shot went just wide.

By the 54th minute, Boston could be seen struggling to create anything clear cut.

Altrincham kept putting pressure on the hosts, and finally got a vital goal in the 64th minute, Dan Mooney scoring for the visitors.

Peter Crook had an absolute howler, coming out for the ball but it bobbles out of his hands and gave Alty the lead.

They could have extended it two minutes later, Crook was once again in trouble, this time he waited for the ball to drop from the air but Mooney almost nipped in, they both had a tussle on the floor, with Mooney going into the book.

Time was running out for Boston, they continued to try and salvage an equaliser, however Altrincham kept running down the clock, in no rush to take anything.

Three minutes of added time ended, after Boston threw everything at it, but Alty secured promotion back to the National League for the first time since 2015/16 season.

Plenty of fans reacted as Altrincham were named winners of the National League North Playoff Final and seal promotion…

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