Brechin City are 180 minutes away from Championship football thanks to a “phenomenal effort” against troubled Raith Rovers.
Darren Dods’ side belied their part-time status in a heroic display at Stark’s Park, with Andy Jackson’s penalty shoot-out winner condemning Rovers to life in League One next season.
The Glebe Park outfit, who finished fourth in their division and 31 points behind champions Livingston, now go head to head with Alloa over two legs for the right to play in Scotland’s second tier next season.
Brechin matched Raith – who parted company with boss John Hughes after the game – goal for goal over two legs, and even recovered from falling behind in extra-time, before holding their nerve to win the shoot-out, where goalkeeper Graeme Smith was the hero with three crucial saves.
Delighted boss Dods, who had a number of injury problems to contend with over the two legs, said: “For the boys to show the effort they did was phenomenal.
“The squad was stretched and we’re struggling for numbers so it took an enormous effort. We took the lead twice in the second half and I thought we were going to see it out, so to lose an equalising goal in the 90th minute was a real sickener.
“But we somehow found energy from somewhere for extra time. Going 3-2 behind I think Raith thought they’d won it, but Liam Watt’s free-kick was unbelievable. I was saying to him a few weeks back that we’ve not scored a free-kick since I’ve been in charge, so what a time to score one.”
“There’s a great team spirit that’s been there all season so we just need to keep that going. We’ll rest the legs up and give it two more final pushes.”
The delight in the visitors’ ranks was in contrast with the utter dejection felt by Rovers’ players and fans.
Rovers parted company with manager John Hughes and assistant Kevin McBride after the shock defeat.
Raith were expected to progress following the 1-1 draw at Glebe Park in Wednesday’s first leg, but Brechin showed they would be no pushovers in a goalless first half.
Goalkeeper Smith made good saves from Declan McManus and Danny Handling as half-time approached but, for the most part, the away side defended strongly.
After soaking up the first half pressure, Brechin then landed a sucker punch six minutes after the break when Ross Caldwell pounced on a woeful pass back from defender Jean-Yves M’voto to roll the opener under goalkeeper Connor Brennan.
M’voto made up for his error when he powered home a header from a McManus free-kick, but the Frenchman was at fault again as City regained the lead seven minutes from time.
He was caught underneath the ball as Willie Dyer launched a high pass upfield and sub Alan Trouten raced through to fire past Brennan.
Rovers were seconds away from having relegation confirmed when McManus struck what looked to be a life-saving equaliser in injury-time, firing home a rebound after Ryan Hardie’s shot was saved by Smith.
Raith looked to have completed the great escape in the 12th minute of extra-time when Hardie raced clear to round Smith and slot home to give the home side a 3-2 lead, 4-3 on aggregate.
However, now behind for the first time in the tie, City refused to accept their fate and Watt crashed home a stunning 25 yard free-kick with just six minutes left to force the play-off into penalties.
The sides could not be separated after five spot-kicks each, missing two apiece, so it went to sudden death.
Scott Robertson, who came off the bench to make his first Raith appearance of the season, took the crucial sixth kick but his tame effort was stopped by Smith.
Jackson then sent Brennan the wrong way to spark delirium in the away end, and leave Raith to contemplate the financial consequences of relegation.