Seasoned veteran Gary Liddle achieved his second promotion as a Hartlepool United player on Sunday.

He was part of the 2006/07 squad over 14 years ago that finished second in League Two.

Liddle, who celebrated his 35th birthday early last week, was once again part of history as Pools sealed promtion in yesterday's dramatic play-off final against Torquay United, winning the tie on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time. 

It was a game that had everything. After Luke Armstrong handed Pools the lead in the first half, they were denied at the death thanks to a header from Gulls goalkeeper Lucas Covolan. 

As the game went beyond extra time, Dave Challinor's side held their nerve with Brad James saving Matt Buse's penalty in sudden death. 

“It was just the whole emotional situation of the game. We’d conceded in the 93rd minute or something and I don’t mind saying it now but mentally I was half gone" Liddle admitted.

"It’s a difficult situation, having defended for the last half hour, to then try and attack in extra-time and try and win the game. 

“It’s been a long time coming for my second promotion and to do it here is unbelievable.

“At the time, I didn’t think the game was won but we were so close to winning it and I knew what it would mean to the staff, the lads who put the graft in but mostly to the 3,000 fans in the stadium and the tens of thousands back home.

"We felt like we’d let them down a little bit (in normal time), we didn’t want to throw it away and it’s probably my last chance of promotion as a player so I’m hoping we can keep this group of players together for next season.

"I don’t think we would have if we weren’t promoted. It was the ideal time to do it because I think that chance would have been stripped away from us if we didn’t do it but thankfully we have."

The 35-year-old has played a huge part in Pools season. He's made 26 appearances this season but has lost just two games, both of those being on 3G surfaces. 

After the game, Liddle was asked about whether this promotion was just as special as when Pools made it to League One 14 years ago.  

"It definitely feels sweeter. I’m more relieved than anything because we’ve definitely done it the hard way" Liddle said. 

"Not finishing in the top three and requiring more games than the others to get promoted.

"It’s been a long season, a year and the manager deserves it as well. He has past experiences with play-offs in this league and they haven’t turned out too well for him with Fylde.

"More than anything, he deserves it and the lads deserve it for the graft they’ve put in and obviously the fans more than anything."