Grimsby Town's promotion dreams came to an end this afternoon after a 3-1 (4-2 aggregate) defeat at Gateshead.
Following Thursday night's 1-1 draw at Blundell Park, a win today would have secured a trip to Wembley and the chance of a return to the Football League after a four-year absence.
The hosts went ahead in the first half after Town goalkeeper McKeown fumbled a James Marwood shot.
Things got worse for the Mariners after the break when Scott Neilson was dismissed for a challenge on the Heed's Craig Baxter.
Though down to ten men, Craig Disley got Town back on level terms but, after 77 minutes, Sam Hatton was given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card.
Gateshead capitalised on their numeric advantage minutes later when Marwood netted his second of the afternoon. JJ O'Donnell then sealed the win in injury time.
LIVE BLOG 2.30pm - A large group of Grimsby fans met at the Angel of the North for a quick photograph. Grant Maconachie, 46, from Wakefield, said: "I'm hopeful. We did well in the first leg so if we can just come out of the blocks in the first 20 minutes we will be fine. "I think we have a good chance, so I'll go for 2-1. Whatever happens it should be a great atmosphere." Club photographer Paul Burgess, 50, added: "It has been a great turnout here. We put it out on Facebook and Twitter and we weren't sure how many would turn up, but we got a good number. "Here's hoping we'll be doing the same at Trafalgar Square in a few weeks!" 3.00pm - Plenty of fans are now spilling around the ground, are they all seem to be in good spirits. Sarah Yardy, 39, of Hainton Avenue: "I'm looking forward to it, after all we are just one game away from Wembley. But I'm feeling pretty confident, I'm going for 2-1 Town. It will be great if we can manage to get through, I'll be spending the weekend in London. I'm more nervous than excited though, us Town fans know what it feels like to get this far but to miss out." Robin Ruston, 57, from Healing, said: "I'm pretty confident we will win it, but it will be a close game. I'm pretty positive we are going to do it. After what happened last year you'd like to think the players will be up for it, and who knows - maybe Fenty has offered them a cash bonus? I just hope they've been practicing penalties!" 3.30pm - Town fans are now making their way through the turnstiles and it looks like a great turnout. Steve Hodgson, 44, from Beverley, said: "It'll be 3-1, I'm confident. Last week we played really well and we were too good for them, they couldn't handle us. We just couldn't get that second goal. "If we win I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it to Wembley though, as I'll be working offshore. But I promised my son we'd go so I'll have to work something out." Simon Parker, 37, from Lincoln, said: "Even though I reckon it will be a close and tight game, I'm very confident we'll be the team to edge it. "We'll certainly do our best from the stands and scream and shout our encouragement, let's just hope it will be enough to get to Wembley." 4.00pm - The players are out on the pitch warming up, with just under 30 minutes to go until kick-off. Margaret White, from Hull, said: "I've been watching Town for four years now and I'd call myself an avid fan. If they turn up today I think they will do it. "We played okay on Thursday and were unlucky not to win, so if we pick it up today I see no reason why we can't win 2-0. It would be interesting to play at Wembley on the same weekend as Hull anyway!" 5.15pm - Town are trailing 1-0 following a mistake from goalkeeper James McKeown. Gateshead are currently leading 2-1 on aggregate, but the Mariners are still in this. Here's what the fans make of that first half and their chances of getting back on level terms: Mark Cross, 36, from Wybers Wood, said: "It was a very disappointing half, very lacklustre considering it's the second leg of a play-off semi-final. "I'm just hoping they will sort it out for the second half and buck up their ideas. We're still in the tie, but we have to score at least one." Chris Smith, 57, from Doncaster, added: "It was a terrible goal to give away. There's just been no tempo and we don't look like scoring. It was a bad mistake from the keeper but he's been great all season, but he still should have held it. "I think they will come out fighting, they need to really." Neil Dickinson, 45, from Grimsby, said: "It was a bit disappointing really, but there wasn't much between the two sides. I'd say we still have a good chance of getting back in the game though, it's all to play for." 5.50pm - Despite being down to ten men, Grimsby equalise via Thursday's hero Craig Disley, sending the travelling support into raptures. It's now level and all to play for. 6.10pm - Grimsby down to nine men following Sam Hatton's second yellow. 6.15pm - Heartbreak for the Mariners as Gateshead score a late winner. Reaction to follow... 7.30pm - Town striker Andy Cook says it was gutting to lose in such a cruel manner: "It was very frustrating. We did well at our place and we were coming here thinking we could win, so it's just gutting. "To happen two years in a row as well after last year makes it even worse, so it's hard to take. It's annoying not to take our chance of promotion and we want to get out of non-league, but we will go again next year and come back stronger." Leon Westerman, 14, from Cooper Road, said: "It was a poor game but the referee changed it. At the end of the day the bigger and better club have lost. It seems to be the same every year though, we just fizzle out right at the end. "I thought we were the best side, so it's pretty annoying." Nathan Bushell, 17, Brigg, said: "I didn't think the first red was a sending off at all, and that's cost us the game. It's upsetting to be knocked out but we will be back next year. They gave it their all and couldn't have done any more." Buy tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for more reaction and pictures.
LIVE BLOG 2.30pm - A large group of Grimsby fans met at the Angel of the North for a quick photograph. Grant Maconachie, 46, from Wakefield, said: "I'm hopeful. We did well in the first leg so if we can just come out of the blocks in the first 20 minutes we will be fine. "I think we have a good chance, so I'll go for 2-1. Whatever happens it should be a great atmosphere." Club photographer Paul Burgess, 50, added: "It has been a great turnout here. We put it out on Facebook and Twitter and we weren't sure how many would turn up, but we got a good number. "Here's hoping we'll be doing the same at Trafalgar Square in a few weeks!" 3.00pm - Plenty of fans are now spilling around the ground, are they all seem to be in good spirits. Sarah Yardy, 39, of Hainton Avenue: "I'm looking forward to it, after all we are just one game away from Wembley. But I'm feeling pretty confident, I'm going for 2-1 Town. It will be great if we can manage to get through, I'll be spending the weekend in London. I'm more nervous than excited though, us Town fans know what it feels like to get this far but to miss out." Robin Ruston, 57, from Healing, said: "I'm pretty confident we will win it, but it will be a close game. I'm pretty positive we are going to do it. After what happened last year you'd like to think the players will be up for it, and who knows - maybe Fenty has offered them a cash bonus? I just hope they've been practicing penalties!" 3.30pm - Town fans are now making their way through the turnstiles and it looks like a great turnout. Steve Hodgson, 44, from Beverley, said: "It'll be 3-1, I'm confident. Last week we played really well and we were too good for them, they couldn't handle us. We just couldn't get that second goal. "If we win I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it to Wembley though, as I'll be working offshore. But I promised my son we'd go so I'll have to work something out." Simon Parker, 37, from Lincoln, said: "Even though I reckon it will be a close and tight game, I'm very confident we'll be the team to edge it. "We'll certainly do our best from the stands and scream and shout our encouragement, let's just hope it will be enough to get to Wembley." 4.00pm - The players are out on the pitch warming up, with just under 30 minutes to go until kick-off. Margaret White, from Hull, said: "I've been watching Town for four years now and I'd call myself an avid fan. If they turn up today I think they will do it. "We played okay on Thursday and were unlucky not to win, so if we pick it up today I see no reason why we can't win 2-0. It would be interesting to play at Wembley on the same weekend as Hull anyway!" 5.15pm - Town are trailing 1-0 following a mistake from goalkeeper James McKeown. Gateshead are currently leading 2-1 on aggregate, but the Mariners are still in this. Here's what the fans make of that first half and their chances of getting back on level terms: Mark Cross, 36, from Wybers Wood, said: "It was a very disappointing half, very lacklustre considering it's the second leg of a play-off semi-final. "I'm just hoping they will sort it out for the second half and buck up their ideas. We're still in the tie, but we have to score at least one." Chris Smith, 57, from Doncaster, added: "It was a terrible goal to give away. There's just been no tempo and we don't look like scoring. It was a bad mistake from the keeper but he's been great all season, but he still should have held it. "I think they will come out fighting, they need to really." Neil Dickinson, 45, from Grimsby, said: "It was a bit disappointing really, but there wasn't much between the two sides. I'd say we still have a good chance of getting back in the game though, it's all to play for." 5.50pm - Despite being down to ten men, Grimsby equalise via Thursday's hero Craig Disley, sending the travelling support into raptures. It's now level and all to play for. 6.10pm - Grimsby down to nine men following Sam Hatton's second yellow. 6.15pm - Heartbreak for the Mariners as Gateshead score a late winner. Reaction to follow... 7.30pm - Town striker Andy Cook says it was gutting to lose in such a cruel manner: "It was very frustrating. We did well at our place and we were coming here thinking we could win, so it's just gutting. "To happen two years in a row as well after last year makes it even worse, so it's hard to take. It's annoying not to take our chance of promotion and we want to get out of non-league, but we will go again next year and come back stronger." Leon Westerman, 14, from Cooper Road, said: "It was a poor game but the referee changed it. At the end of the day the bigger and better club have lost. It seems to be the same every year though, we just fizzle out right at the end. "I thought we were the best side, so it's pretty annoying." Nathan Bushell, 17, Brigg, said: "I didn't think the first red was a sending off at all, and that's cost us the game. It's upsetting to be knocked out but we will be back next year. They gave it their all and couldn't have done any more." Buy tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for more reaction and pictures.
