大象传媒

After five years in the non-league wilderness, Exeter City are back in the Football League.

The Grecians clinched their place in League Two, with a tension-filled 1-0 win over Cambridge United in the Blue Square Premier play-off final at Wembley.

The win, on 18 May 2008, comes five years after City were relegated out of the Football League.

And it followed City's defeat in the play-off final just 12 months ago.

The Grecians' hero was Rob Edwards, who scored the only goal of the game after 21 minutes.

Rob Edwards scored the winner (Pinnacle)

For the second year running, 20,000 Grecians fans made their way to Wembley to watch City play in the play-off final.

In May 2007, their hearts were broken by Morecambe, who came from behind to win 2-1 and consign City to another season as a non-league club.

This time, it was City's time to celebrate. At the end, their fans chanted "Going up, going up, going up," as the players celebrated on the pitch in front of them.

Exeter started the game better, and the all-important goal came when Edwards headed in after Cambridge failed to clear a corner.

The Grecians continued to play the better football and deservedly went in at half-time 1-0 up.

However, City came under pressure early in the second half as Cambridge pushed for the equaliser.

What City could really have done with was a second goal to ease the nerves.

They had a narrow escape 16 minutes before the end when Matt Taylor was forced to make a goal-line clearance, as the tension grew among players and fans alike.

City were defending deeper and deeper, but they held on to earn the biggest prize of all - promotion to the Football League.

After the final whistle, Exeter manager Paul Tisdale said his players deserve promotion: "It's absolutely fantastic. I'm very proud to have been part of this football club.

"It was a terribly long second half - the last 10 minutes were excruciating. The support was wonderful, I'm delighted for them"

He said it won't be easy next season, but added: "It's a high quality problem - let's enjoy it."