Evo-Stik Division One North: Tadcaster Albion 2 Mossley 0

ON A dramatic final day, Tadcaster Albion sneaked into the Evo-Stik League Division One North play-offs with victory over Mossley, while Colwyn Bay and Colne both suffered defeats at already-promoted sides.

Billy Whitehouse's early low drive and Casey Stewart's superb anticipation in the second half was enough to see off the Lilywhites as fans nervously refreshed their social media feeds all afternoon hoping for positive news elsewhere.

Hyde United saw off Colwyn Bay 4-3 at Ewen Fields, and ten-man champions South Shields hung on to a 2-1 win over Colne, meaning that Tadcaster took the final play-off spot on goal difference.

The result means that the Brewers have climbed to their highest finish in the club's history, with a trip to Bamber Bridge on Tuesday as a reward in a play-off semi-final.

Albion bosses Michael Morton and Simon Collins made three changes to the midweek win at Ossett Town as Andy Milne made his first start since undergoing ankle surgery, while new Sheffield United defender Harry Sheppeard was recalled, along with Pete Davidson – the man they call the 'Yorkshire Pirlo'.

The hosts made a bright start, with Whitehouse driving narrowly wide from distance before club captain Milne glanced a near-post header just over the bar from a Will Annan corner.

The visitors' first attack came seconds after as a cross from the right was turned inches wide by Mason Duffy.

Just as the Taddy fans had time to celebrate a goal for Hyde against Colwyn Bay, they had extra reason to celebrate as Whitehouse broke the deadlock.

Midfield maestro Davidson set up the goal brilliantly by pinching the ball off the toe of Andrew Keogh and knocking it past Tom Dean, unlocking the space in behind before teeing up Whitehouse, who drove the ball past Diba Musangu.

Taddy's starting XI, who had an average age of 23, dominated, but Mossley looked dangerous on set-pieces as a Rory Delap inspired long throw from Logan Jeffs dropped untouched in the six-yard box before Josh Barrett powered a header clear to safety.

Albion continued to put together clever combinations in the final third as they pushed for a second goal.

Whitehouse's divine outside-of-the-foot through ball gave Davidson a sighting of goal before the scruffy-haired enforcer struck his half-volley over.

The attacker on-loan from Hull City was next to go close for Taddy as Annan surged inside in the penalty box but saw his low effort well saved by Musangu.

The Brewers were well in the ascendency but a few groans could be heard from the home fans as the Seagulls equalised at Ewen Fields, meaning that Tad would have to win by two goals.

Moments after Sheppeard's cross was palmed away by the Mossley stopper, there was news of another goal, this time at Mariners Park as the champions took the lead against Colne before a second followed soon after.

Taddy had a great chance to get a second of their own on the stroke of half-time as Annan set Stewart in behind before checking back and rolling a square ball to Davidson, who couldn't generate the desired contact to trouble Musangu.

With Albion leading and both Hyde and South Shields 2-1 up, Morton's side occupied a play-off place at half-time, but Mossley looked a more threatening outfit after the break, with Jack Tuohy forcing the league's best goalkeeper Michael Ingham to get down well.

Having said that, it was Tadcaster, who scored the next goal and it offered them breathing space.

Fresh from his brace on Tuesday night, Stewart was at it again as a false number nine after chasing down goalkeeper Musangu and intercepting the pass, allowing the forward to roll into the empty net.

Albion almost got a third on 67 minutes when Annan's corner dropped to Barrett, but his low blast was blocked by Keogh and Andy Milne's half-hearted appeals for a penalty against Keenan Quansah were waved away.

The Lilywhites pushed valiantly for a way back into the contest in the last knockings as Liam Ellis couldn't keep his cool after charging into the box, blasting over before Tuohy followed suit from 22 yards out.

Keogh was next to go close for the visitors as he smartly controlled a cross before being unable to bundle the ball past the giant frame of Ingham.

As the clock ran down, Taddy should have finished with a flurry as two clear goal-scoring opportunities were passed up.

Firstly Tad broke from a Mossley corner kick, with Barrett controlling the ball into the opposition's half, roared on by the faithful, but as the central defender went to pull the trigger, his legs rather give way.

Thirty seconds later, substitute Josh Greening burst through and opted to square to Whitehouse, who could only scramble the ball tamely towards goal, allowing Musangu to smother.

After a delay of some ten minutes while other results were confirmed, the fans on the terraces could finally celebrate the Brewers reaching the play-offs.