IF Grimsby Town are hoping for a lucky omen in the play-offs they don't have to look much further than their talismanic skipper.
The last time Craig Disley won promotion via the end-of-season lottery, he did so after picking himself up from the crushing disappointment of losing a cup final just a few weeks earlier.
Disley was part of the Bristol Rovers side that was beaten 3-2 (after extra-time) by Doncaster Rovers in the 2007 Football League Trophy.
But he and the 'Gasheads' rallied to finish the season with a flourish and seal promotion with a 3-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town in the play-off final at Wembley.
Disley was even on target in the home play-off semi-final first leg – to help Rovers to a 7-4 aggregate victory over Lincoln.
And, after Grimsby Town's heartbreak at the FA Trophy showpiece, the 31-year-old is aiming to repeat a bit of personal history by going on to lead the Mariners to promotion glory on Sunday, May 5.
Speaking ahead of tonight's play-off semi-final first leg with Newport County, Disley said: "Hopefully what happened with me at Bristol can be a good omen for us.
"I lost in the cup final and then won the play-off final and the contrasting emotions are unbelievable.
"We've already felt the heartbreak of Wembley this season and if we can get back there, I've no doubt that the lads will draw on that experience to make sure it doesn't happen again.
"It's massively important that we draw on that experience.
"This season, we didn't manage to hold on to the challenge for the title, but it was nice to get the place in the play-offs confirmed early.
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"It has allowed us to concentrate on having the good run that we've had going into tonight."
When Disley signed for the Mariners in June 2011, it was the first time the experienced midfielder had dropped down to that level, having played the rest of his career in the Football League.
And now that his side are in with a chance of finally sealing a return to League Two, the skipper says it is what the club 'need and deserve.'
He continued: "The prize at the end of these play-off games is massive – to be Football League players.
"Being back in the League is the carrot that we've been chasing all season.
"I've been lucky enough to play in the league for a quite a few years and to get back there would be massive.
"It's what the club needs and what the club deserves. The fans are great and they deserve to be watching League football.
"It's the ultimate aim for everyone involved at the football club and we've got the opportunity to achieve it now."
After the disappointment of Wembley, the Mariners have been in sparkling form and go into tonight's clash with the Exiles on a nine-game unbeaten run.
And Disley says no team in the play-off shake-up hold any fear for his in-form side.
He continued: "It's nice when you're going into games fully confident of the team that you've got behind you and that's been the case this season and it will be again tonight.
"In the play-offs – like competitions like the Champions League – you've got to beat the best teams to win it and we'll take on whoever appears in front of us."
