2003 Football Conference play-off final
Britannia Stadium venue of the 2003 Football Conference play-off final
Event2002–03 Football Conference
Dagenham & Redbridge Doncaster Rovers
2 3
After extra time
Date10 May 2003
VenueBritannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent
RefereeAndre Marriner (Birmingham)
Attendance13,092

The 2003 Football Conference play-off final took place on 10 May 2003 and was contested between Dagenham & Redbridge and Doncaster Rovers. It was held at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent and was the inaugural final of the Football Conference playoffs which were introduced to accommodate a second promotion place to the Football League.

Match

Summary

Doncaster had much of the play early on in the match with Tony Roberts in the Daggers goal making a number of good saves, notably from Paul Barnes. Doncaster turned up the pressure and should have taken the lead through Steve Foster, whose header was cleared off the line by John McGrath. However they took a deserved lead when Tim Ryan's cross was headed into the net by Paul Green.

Ten minutes into the second half Doncaster were two goals in front thanks to Dave Morley's header, which a Dagenham defender got an inadvertent hand to, with the ball rebounding in off the post. Dagenham battled on and got a goal back through Mark Stein, who netted after a knock down from target man Steve West. They then levelled the scores when Tarkan Mustafa scored arguably the goal of the game. He received a good ball from Paul Terry on the right, ran at the Rovers defence and shot past Andy Warrington into the far corner of the net.

Extra time was needed and, with legs tiring, it was Doncaster who got the golden goal. Paul Barnes broke away on the left and crossed for Francis Tierney, who sidefooted home to send his team back into the Football League. It is the only time in UK football that promotion has been decided by the controversial golden goal method, officially known as "Promotion Goal" in this match. The pitch was subsequently invaded by Doncaster Rovers fans, including one wearing an oversized jester's hat who managed to circle the ground before being caught by police.

Details

Dagenham & Redbridge2–3 (a.e.t.)Doncaster Rovers
  • Stein 63'
  • Mustafa 78'
 Report
Attendance: 13,092
GK1Tony Roberts
DF2Tim Cole
DF17Lee Matthews (c)Yellow card
DF19Tarkan Mustafa
DF4Lee Goodwindownward-facing red arrow 71'
MF8Paul Terrydownward-facing red arrow 94'
MF26John McGrathdownward-facing red arrow 70'
MF7Mark Janney
FW10Mark Stein
FW9Danny Shipp
FW15Steve West
Substitutes:
GK18Paul Gothard
DF3Ashley Vickersupward-facing green arrow 71'
DF5Mark Smithupward-facing green arrow 70'
MF6Steve Hefferupward-facing green arrow 94'
MF14Danny Hill
Manager:
Garry Hill
GK1Andy Warrington
DF2Simon Marples
DF3Tim Ryan
DF4Dave Morley
DF23Steve Foster
MF11Jamie Patersondownward-facing red arrow 84'
MF19Ricky RavenhillYellow card
MF20Paul Green
MF7Francis Tierney
FW9Paul Barnes (c)
MF16Tristram Whitmandownward-facing red arrow 83'
Substitutes:
GK13Stuart Nelson
DF6Mark Albrighton
MF30Jason Bluntupward-facing green arrow 84'
MF5John Doolan
FW26Gregg Blundellupward-facing green arrow 83'
Manager:
Dave Penney

Match rules:

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of golden-goal extra time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
  • Five named substitutes
  • Maximum of three substitutions.

References

  • "Doncaster seal League return". BBC Sport. 10 May 2003. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  • "Play-offs round-up: Cardiff edge rivals". The Daily Telegraph. London. 10 May 2003. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  • "Tierney has golden touch as Rovers return". The Daily Telegraph. London. 11 May 2003. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  • "Tierney's golden dagger". The Daily Telegraph. London. 11 May 2003. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  • "Tierney gives Doncaster the golden touch". The Guardian. London. 12 May 2003. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
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