FROM BAD TO MUCH WORSE

The universe is ruled by chance and indifference. As to a certain extent are the play-offs, a heady mix of fortune and fortitude.

- Steve HILL

Rarely was this more evident than on the final day of the National League North regular season, with the four available places on heavy rotation throughout the afternoon, a kick of a ball enough to impact the immediate future of thousands of people.

The ever-changing permutations were relayed – Jeff Stelling style – by myself to anyone within earshot on Chester FC’s Harry McNally Terrace while watching us beat play-off hopefuls Buxton.

A frankly bonkers sequence of results, when the music stopped, Chester would be at home to the winners of Brackley versus Gloucester. That Eliminator game went to extra-time thanks to a 99th-minute Gloucester equaliser, but they lost the penalty shoot-out, thus sending Brackley to The Deva for a fateful semi-final.

Tickets secured, Bordeaux Blue flew in overnight and we left London early doors, picking up the Sussex Pessimist on the M40, the latter having decided to spend the bulk of his birthday in the back of my car.