Notts County Promoted To EFL League Two After Sub Keeper Archie Mair Makes Two Saves In Playoff Final Penalty Shootout

Notts County won promotion to EFL League Two after beating Chesterfield in a National League playoff final penalty shootout. Archie Mair saved two penalties.

Notts County won promotion to EFL League Two on Saturday after beating Chesterfield in a dramatic playoff final.

Chesterfield led twice at Wembley courtesy of goals from Andrew Dallas and Armando Dobra but Notts County hit back through John Bostock and Ruben Rodrigues to earn a 2-2 draw after extra-time.

Notts County then won 4-3 in a penalty shootout to seal their return to the English Football League following a three-year absence.

Fans of Notts County pictured at Wembley Stadium during the National League playoff final :: IMAGO/PA Images/Zac Goodwin

The Magpies had finished second in the regular season after winning 107 points from 46 matches.

Prior to this season, no team had ever recorded more than 105 points in the fifth tier of English football. But this was no ordinary season.

Wrexham won the National League title with 111 points, leaving County in the playoffs for a fourth season in a row.

It looked like it was going to be another nearly season for the Magpies as Chesterfield led 1-0 from the sixth minute until the 88th.

But, with time running out, Bostock made it 1-1 with a free-kick that caught out the Chesterfield keeper.

Dobra restored Chesterfield's lead early in extra time but his side were holding on for penalties after Rodrigues equalized in the 108th minute.

County manager Luke Williams made a bold decision to change his goalkeepers in the final seconds of extra time and it paid off.

Sam Slocombe was replaced by Archie Mair, who went on to save spot-kicks from Darren Oldaker and Jeff King in the shootout.

Bostock was the only other player who failed to convert their penalty in the shootout. The County midfielder blew the chance to seal a 4-2 win when he hit the crossbar with an attempted panenka.

But Bostock was celebrating moments later.

Notts County subbed on second choice goalkeeper Archie Mair for the penalty shootout.

He saved two penalties and helped his side gain promotion to League Two at Wembley.

The stuff dreams are made of.🙌#TheVanarama pic.twitter.com/SZX6oyEAqF

— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 13, 2023