Emley AFC kept their Northern Premier League Division One East promotion hopes alive on a dramatic night at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground as Richard Tracey’s side produced a tireless, gutsy display to overcome Dunston 1-0 and book their place in Saturday’s playoff final.

In front of a passionate home crowd of 909, Emley dug deep in a tense, physical contest settled by another crucial contribution from Loz, whose decisive finish ensured the Pewits’ remarkable season will continue for at least one more huge occasion.

Afterwards, manager Richard Tracey could not hide his pride after watching his side leave absolutely everything on the pitch: “I thought we absolutely ran ourselves into the ground tonight,” said Tracey. “The lads gave everything, every ounce they had. We asked them before the game not to leave anything in that dressing room, to make sure they left it all out here on that pitch, and I genuinely believe every single one of them did exactly that.

“I’m a bit gobsmacked really because when you consider what’s been riding on these last few games, and how tough things have been for us at times lately, I couldn’t be prouder. I’m absolutely delighted for them because they’ve been phenomenal. To produce Saturday’s performance and then back it up with that tonight says everything about their character, their mentality and how much they wanted it.”

With so much on the line, the game began cautiously, but Tracey felt his side gradually took control despite a fiercely competitive encounter: “The first 20 minutes felt exactly like you’d expect in a game of this magnitude,” he said. “It was cagey because there was so much at stake. Both sides were feeling each other out, trying to work out where the opportunities were, and neither side wanted to make the first big mistake.

“We’ve had these types of battles with Dunston before and last year at their place there was virtually nothing in it for 90 minutes until a deflection settled it, so we knew what kind of night it could be.

“I felt we started to grow into it. We’ve had a goal chalked off for offside which the lads are adamant shouldn’t have been, and from where we were I think they felt hard done by. Gabs has had chances, we’ve had moments, and if I’m being honest I don’t think Jordan’s really had a proper save to make.

“He’s dealt with a few headers and done what he needed to do, but beyond that we looked solid. Then they’ve had that big chance that’s hit the post and sometimes in football those are the moments where you start thinking maybe it’s your night, and thankfully for us, it proved to be.”

The decisive moment came from one of Emley’s increasingly dangerous long throws, and Tracey was keen to highlight the intelligence behind the move as much as the finish itself: “People might look at it and think it’s just a long throw, but it’s actually really clever,” he said. “It’s not just launched into the mixer. It’s a smart, deliberate ball. Gabs is spare, he’s picked out brilliantly with what is basically a 50-yard throw, he turns well and gets his shot away.

“Dan Lowson is a very good goalkeeper and with how dry that goalmouth is, it’s awkward for him because the ball comes back into danger, and Loz is exactly where you want a striker to be – alive, alert and ready to pounce.

“For Loz, I’m absolutely delighted. That’s three goals in two games now, and he deserves enormous credit because he’s had a tough season in the sense that he’s not always had the football he’d have wanted. Sometimes players in his situation can drift, but he hasn’t. He’s stayed ready, kept working and now he’s come up trumps for us when it matters most. That says a lot about him.”

The match also carried its fair share of crunching tackles and heated moments, but Tracey felt his side stood up to every challenge: “There were definitely some tough challenges out there,” he said. “I thought the one on Ellis could have gone either way. Personally, I felt it was a little bit naughty because I thought there was time to pull out, but the referee didn’t see it that way and that’s his decision.

“Beyond that, I thought a lot of it was just competitive football, players coming together, but Dunston are experienced and they know how to play those moments.

“They’ve got a bit of that know how, a bit of the dark arts, and sometimes if I’m being brutally honest that’s maybe something we could improve on ourselves. Knowing when to win a foul, how to manage moments, how to slow things down or kill momentum – those things matter in big games.

“My only real disappointment tonight is I felt there were times when we could have been more clinical or more threatening in forward areas and we gave the ball away a little cheaply. But listen, this stage of the season is about results, and this is a phenomenal result.”

Now, Emley’s focus turns to one final hurdle on home soil, with Bradford Park Avenue set to visit in what promises to be a huge playoff final occasion: “At full time, the emotion around the ground told you everything,” said Tracey. “You could feel it in every stand, every corner. Compared to how last season ended, to now have this opportunity on Saturday at home is unbelievably fantastic. That’s what we wanted, to give ourselves a chance in front of our own supporters.

“I’m confident we’ll break the thousand mark on Saturday because our supporters have been incredible and with it being a local game there’ll be a proper atmosphere. Dunston brought fantastic support tonight and Bradford will bring even more. It should be a brilliant occasion, exactly the kind of game you want to be involved in.”

Despite taking four points from Bradford Park Avenue in the regular season, Tracey knows nothing can be taken for granted: “We know all about them because we’ve had two very tight games this season,” he said. “The reality is we’ve taken four points off them this season, but that means absolutely nothing now. Saturday is its own game. It’s a one-hit wonder. Form, previous meetings, league table, none of it matters once that whistle goes.

“We’ll recover, regroup and prepare as best we possibly can. We’ll absolutely enjoy tonight because nights like this are what football is all about. You have to enjoy them. But by tomorrow, the focus switches immediately. Recovery, preparation, mentality everything becomes about Saturday.”

And in victory, Tracey was also quick to show his respect for a Dunston side Emley were proud to overcome: “John and his team are wonderful people,” he said. “There’s a lot of respect there. We’ve had some real battles over the last couple of years and they’ve probably been a bit of a nemesis for us at times, especially up there.

“So to get them here and get through tonight is really pleasing. But in the same breath, I genuinely feel for John because he’s such a good guy. I hope this doesn’t dent them and they come back strong next year. They’re a very good side and a very good football club.”

One more game. One more chance. And after a night like this, Emley’s belief will be stronger than ever.