York back in big time

Matty Blair celebrates at Wembley after netting the winner

York City's eight-year exile from the Football League is over after they beat Luton 2-1 in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final at Wembley.

The Minstermen, relegated in 2004, were beaten finalists two years ago, but went one better this time as goals from Ashley Chambers and Matty Blair wiped out Andre Gray's early goal.

Indeed, the 30,000-plus Luton fans were celebrating after just 71 seconds as they enjoyed a dream start when Robbie Willmott slipped in Gray from the left and the striker opened his body and placed a superb effort into the bottom corner.

Pressure

York could have been flustered, but they responded by bombarding the Luton goal for much of the next 20 minutes.

Jon Challinor almost levelled but his goalbound shot was deflected over by Alex Lawless and then Jason Walker forced Mark Tyler into an athletic save as he tipped over the 18-goal striker's header.

But Gary Mills' men got reward for their total domination in the 26th minute when Chambers rifled in an unstoppable effort from 16 yards following a Lanre Oyebanjo free-kick.

If Luton thought their start to the first half would not be bettered, they were mistaken as York needed just 69 seconds of the second half to take the lead for the first time, though it should have been ruled out for offside.

Oyebanjo launched a long throw into the area, Walker flicked on and Blair advanced a yard past the last defender and tucked home.