DARLINGTON reached the play-off final in dramatic fashion last night, scoring a last-minute goal, and delighted manager Martin Gray greeted the full-time whistle by racing onto the Heritage Park pitch.

David Dowson’s late strike gave Quakers a 3-2 win over Spennymoor Town after an incident-packed match and set-up a play-off final at home to Bamber Bridge on Saturday.

With 12 minutes to go Quakers were 2-1 down before goals by Liam Hatch and Dowson turned the game on its head in a remarkable climax to a highly-entertaining fixture in front of a capacity crowd at Heritage Park.

Gray ran onto the pitch at full-time, later explaining his emotions got the better of him.

“It was the best victory we’ve had since I came to the football club,” said Gray, who was overseeing his 151st game since being appointed three years ago.

“It was down to emotions, the build-up. I probably over-celebrated because all we’ve done is win a semi-final, but it was because of the way the game went, the way we got back in front, the character we showed.

“I apologise if I offended anyone. It was just my emotions, my passion for the club which came through, which comes through in the dressing room and it came through out there tonight. But I’m knackered now!

“For the neutral it was a great game, it could’ve gone either way, no team deserved to win it outright, the team that won was the one that took their chances on the night.

“It was a great game for North-East football, a great spectacle.”

Hatch and Dowson and both been second-half substitutes, Gray making changes after seeing his side let a 1-0 half-time lead slip.

“The substitutions worked out fantastically,” added Gray. “Hatch came on and scored with his first touch, Dowson came on and he scored the winning goal.

“The squad has played its part over the season, it’s about the squad, not just the 11 lads and that was proved tonight.”

Gray and counterpart Jason Ainsley shook hands in the tunnel afterwards, though it could so easily have been the Spennymoor manager celebrating victory.

At 2-2 Moors right-back Kallum Griffiths hit the crossbar with a stunning 40-yard volley.

Gray added: “If that goal had gone it would’ve been a match-winner. It was fantastic technique.

“We had a bit of luck to be fair, they hit the post or the bar twice.

“We had two or three chances in the first half and they had chances in the second half. They gave us a run for our money and did very well.

“Without being patronising, they’re a very good team and I wish them well.

“We’re 90 minutes away from promotion. I watched Bamber Bridge on Tuesday night against Northwich, it went to extra-time so they’ve had two hours of football this week.

“They were in the play-off final last year too, so they’re well aware of what they’ve got to do. They’re a good team, a good outfit, well-organised so it’ll be another tough game.”