BIRTLEY PROMOTED AFTER PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

Birtley Town were today promoted to the First Division after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Billingham Town.

The scores were level at 2-2 at full time but Birtley went on to win the shoot-out 5-4 in front of a crowd of 1,315 at Bedford Terrace.

All three Division Two promotion play-off matches were decided on penalties.

League chairman Glenn Youngman said:  “It’s a wonderful result for Birtley Town, especially to win the tie in such a nail-biting fashion.

“But commiserations to Billingham Town who had a marvellous season but fell just short.”