'A dream come true'

Torquay United are going to Wembley after a 2-1 aggregate win over York City in The FA Trophy Semi-Final.

The Gulls lost the match 1-0 at Kit Kat Crescent but their 2-0 first-leg victory was enough to see them through to their first Wembley final since their play-off final defeat in 1998.

With a two-goal advantage - and already sitting comfortably above their opponents in the Blue Square Premier League - Torquay went into this match as strong favourites. But a battling performance from York made their task anything but easy.

Craig Farrell had a good chance to reduce the deficit after ten minutes, but the York striker headed just wide.

Controversy was to follow when, shortly before half-time, Onome Sodje appeared to have given York the lead after poking the ball between Gulls goalkeeper Martin Rice’s legs.

But the effort was ruled out for offside and York were left to rue what might have been at the half-time interval.

On 64 minutes, York did finally make the breakthrough in rather comical fashion. Sodje, through on goal, was denied by the goalkeeper only for a further defensive clearance to end up in the Torquay net.

It was the stroke of luck which York needed, and a revitalised home support tried to spur their players on to grab the equaliser. But their fans were ultimately left disappointed as Torquay’s defence denied York any further clear-cut opportunities.

Gulls manager Paul Buckle, who appeared at Wembley as a player for Colchester against Torquay, cannot wait for the club’s big day out.

"I’ve been to Wembley as a player and now to go as a manager is a dream come true," said Buckle. "I’m very happy we defended they way we did. Overall on the two legs I thought we deserved it."

Torquay chief executive Colin Lee said: "This is fantastic for the players, for the board and for the people of Torquay. I personally would like to thank every single one of them."