FOLLOWING a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the play-off semi-final at Hartlepool's Victoria Park, City had to win in the second leg at Ashton Gate last Wednesday to be sure of a place in the play-off final. What followed were scenes that will live long in memories of all City supporters. Two late goals secured the Robins a place in the play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
City were a goal down to Hartlepool United until the 88th minute, when Marc Goodfellow headed home a Christian Roberts cross. It was in the 92nd minute of the match when Roberts sent Ashton Gate into delirium. The Cardiff-born player weaved his way past the Hartlepool defence to slide the winner home and send City to the Millennium.
Their opponents on Sunday will be Brighton and Hove Albion, who narrowly defeated Swindon Town to seal their place in the final.
Swindon battled hard to redeem themselves after losing 1-0 in the first leg. They managed to take the match to extra time, and then scored again in extra time, to set up what looked like a West Country derby in Cardiff. But in injury time, in extra time, Brighton scored to take the match into penalties. Swindon missed two of their spotkicks, which handed Brighton the second place in Sunday's final.
City thrashed Brighton 4-1 at the Withdean Stadium back in November, but could only manage a goalless draw in the sides' more recent meeting at Ashton Gate last month.
Danny Wilson has a couple of injury worries heading into Sunday's big game.
Lee Peacock is still suffering from an ankle injury he collected in the play-off semi final second leg. Mickey Bell, who missed both games against Hartlepool with damage to his knee, is also not 100 percent certain of a place in Sunday's side.
City will be taking nearly 35,000 supporters across the Severn Bridge. Their ticket allocation sold out in just three days.
City were at the Millennium Stadium last year to lift the LDV Vans Trophy and 40,000 Bristolians followed them to Cardiff that day. That 2-0 victory over Carlisle last season will still be fresh in the minds of many, especially the current playing squad.
City have lost just once in the Welsh capital since 1971, and they will look to continue that record this Sunday.
A whole season of ups and downs now comes to a climax. The next 90 minutes of football will see whether Wilson's men are First Division material or not.
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