2023 National League play-off final
The 2023 National League play-off final, known as the Vanarama National League Promotion Final for sponsorship reasons, was an association football match played on 13 May 2023 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Chesterfield and Notts County. The match determined the second and final team to gain promotion from the National League, the fifth tier of English football, to EFL League Two. The champions of the 2022–23 National League season gained automatic promotion to EFL League Two, while the teams placed from second to seventh took part in the play-offs; Notts County finished in second place while Chesterfield ended the season in third position. Boreham Wood and Bromley were the losing semi-finalists, while Barnet and Woking had lost at the play-off eliminator stage.
Notts County players and supporters celebrate shortly after the match's conclusion. | |||||||
| Event | 2022–23 National League | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| After extra time Notts County won 4–3 on penalties | |||||||
| Date | 13 May 2023 | ||||||
| Venue | Wembley Stadium, London | ||||||
| Referee | Matthew Corlett | ||||||
| Attendance | 38,138 | ||||||
| Weather | Cloudy 13 °C (55 °F) | ||||||
The match, which was refereed by Matthew Corlett, was played in front of a crowd of 38,138. It ended 1–1 after normal time and was 2–2 by the end of extra time. A penalty shootout was therefore required to determine the winner. Archie Mair, the Notts County goalkeeper who was brought on as a substitute shortly before the end of extra time, saved attempts from Chesterfield's Darren Oldaker and Jeff King. Although John Bostock missed the chance to win the shootout for Notts County, Cedwyn Scott scored with their following kick, and Notts County won the final 4–3 on penalties.
Notts County, a founder member of the English Football League, returned to that league for the first time since 2019 and will participate in the 2023–24 EFL League Two season. Chesterfield will play in the 2023–24 National League season.