Ex-Carlisle United man Cedwyn Scott fires Notts County to promotion

Cedwyn Scott struck the winning penalty in the Magpies’ shoot-out victory over Chesterfield at Wembley.

It sent Notts back into the EFL after a four-year absence – and meant heartbreak for the Spireites whose side included ex-Carlisle midfielder Mike Jones.

Scott, a Carlisle player in the 2020/21 season, wrote his name into Notts history by making it 4-3 in the shoot-out and triggering celebrations among the County fans.

It followed a dramatic National League play-off final in which Chesterfield had twice led – both in normal and extra-time – only for Notts to fight back.

Macaulay Langstaff, left, and Cedwyn Scott, right, celebrate Notts County's play-off victory (Image: PA)

Chesterfield took an early lead when Andrew Dalles scored from the spot having been brought down by County keeper Sam Slocombe.

They held their lead until the 87th minute, when John Bostock caught out Spireites keeper Ross Fitzsimons at his near post from a free-kick.

Cerwyn Scott sends @Official_NCFC back into the Football League 🚀 pic.twitter.com/JQwkfAmBQ1

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 13, 2023

That took the final to extra-time, with Chesterfield soon back in front thanks to Armando Dobra’s curling finish.

But County again responded and, in the second half of extra-time, levelled through Ruben Rodrigues.

Neither side could grab a winner, County having brought on Scott in the 66th minute of the game, meaning a shoot-out was required.

Mike Jones, left, pictured during the final (Image: PA)

Notts boss Luke Williams had replaced Slocombe with sub keeper Archie Mair shortly before the end of extra-time.

And the decision was vindicated as he saved penalties from Darren Oldaker and Jeff King.

That eventually left Scott with the chance to win it and the 24-year-old made no mistake to clinch promotion for the Magpies.

The striker was on United's books in 2020/21 having joined from non-league Hebburn Town during Chris Beech's reign, but he only made seven sub appearances before being released.

After a spell with Gateshead he joined Notts last summer.

Speaking after the final, he told BT Sport he was feeling "emotional" and that "nobody deserves it more than us" after the impressive season County have had.

On the winning spot-kick, he added: "I just wanted to get it into the back of the net any way I could."

It was a memorable turnaround for Scott from the spot after he had seen a penalty saved by Wrexham's Ben Foster in a crucial clash late in the National League campaign.

Notts now follow champions Wrexham back into the Football League with both clubs having dominated the season.

Big-spending Wrexham, backed by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny and with ex-Carlisle men Aaron Hayden and Mark Howard in their ranks, won the title on 111 points, four ahead of Notts – with third-placed Chesterfield 23 points adrift with 84 points.

The Spireites’ five-year absence from the EFL continues.

There was Cumbrian involvement in the League One play-offs on Saturday, meanwhile.

Goalkeeper James Trafford and midfielder Kyle Dempsey played for Bolton Wanderers as they drew 1-1 with Barnsley in their semi-final first leg.

Dion Charles levelled for Bolton soon after Nicky Cadden's Barnsley opener - while Trafford, who made a series of important saves, was named player of the match.

Joe Simpson, son of Carlisle boss, was one of the assistant referees. On Friday night, Cumbrian referee Anthony Backhouse took charge of Peterborough United's 4-0 first leg win over Sheffield Wednesday.