Farsley Celtic reached their ultimate pinnacle in a season of unprecedented success when they won the UniBond Premier Division play-off final after extra-time to gain promotion.
Having packed out the trophy cabinet by going all the way in two cup competitions, the biggest prize came without silverware.
Reaching the Conference North via the excitement of the end-of-season mini-series puts the club on another plain.
It came as a reward for not just one long, arduous campaign but two. The previous season ended in contentious circumstances and ultimate misery but no-one can pull the rug out from underneath them this time.
"It's a good feeling and is still sinking in but it is a great adrenaline rush," admitted Celts boss Lee Sinnott.
The hosts were taken all the way by a determined North Ferriby after prolific striker Gary Brad-shaw netted a leveller that took the game into overtime.
In another amazing twist, Farsley's winner right at the beginning of the second period came from the toe of a Ferriby defender. All that after the Celts appeared to be cruising to a straightforward win.
They took the lead in the fifth minute when Andy Watson headed home at the far post after Dominic Krief's cross had picked him out.
That also had an element of the bizarre about it. A through-ball had appeared to be heading safely to Ferriby keeper Antoni Pecora when centre back Jamie Waltham stepped in to play it into space on the left-hand side of the area. That merely invited Krief to take possession and look up.
After that solid start, which saw Ferriby right back Andy Thompson limp out of the contest after injuring himself attempting to cut out the cross, the home side enjoyed the best of the first half from then on. The onus shifted after the break.
Ferriby were not creating many clear chances but they were refusing to slip quietly out of the game. The Celts seemed almost steadfastly reluctant to finish off their opponents, with Kevin Sanasy and Simeon Bambrook another who was introduced from the bench in an early change both wasteful.
Ferriby manager Brian France introduced Bradshaw, who is back on loan at the Hull outfit from Coca-Cola League Two outfit Cheltenham, just before the hour and in the 79th minute his latent potential manifested itself.
A Celts attack had just broken down as Krief's low shot was spilled by Pecora but he had dived to smother the rebound. The keeper launched a clearance and, taking the ball on the bounce outside the area, Bradshaw lashed home.
The goal stirred the Farsley players from their slumber and instead of going through the motions they decided to take the bull by the horns. They failed to produce a winner in the remaining ten minutes of the second half but they went into the extra half-hour in positive mode.
The majority of the play in the first period was in the final third which Ferriby were defending. However, it was not until the teams changed around that the all-important goal was created.
From the kick-off at the start of the second period, Damian Reeves powered forward and, as he reached the Ferriby area, he was shadowed by Waltham. The defender stuck out a foot to dispossess Reeves but only succeeded in stabbing the ball past Pecora.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article