JOHN BOSTOCK had the chance to strike the winning penalty in this afternoon’s National League play-off final… only to embarrassingly botch a Panenka.
Bostock’s Notts County drew 2-2 with Chesterfield in a pulsating Wembley final.
The former Tottenham and Crystal Palace midfielder had already played a huge part for his side, levelling at 1-1 in the 88th minute.
When it came to grabbing the headlines as penalty shoot-out hero, however, Bostock fluffed his lines.
Notts County boss Luke Williams made a gutsy tactical move late on in extra time – subbing on back-up goalkeeper Archie Mair for regular No1 Sam Slocombe with penalties in mind.
It went on to be an inspired decision, with Mair producing two brilliant saves during the shoot-out.
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These stops presented Bostock the chance to win it with County’s fourth penalty.
The 31-year-old nonchalantly stepped up, but struck his Panenka penalty off the crossbar.
Bostock lifted his shirt above his face in anguish after his error.
But he went on to get away with it.
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Chesterfield temporarily levelled the shoot-out at 3-3, but Cedwyn Scott did what Bostock couldn’t – converting the crucial spot kick to send his side back into the EFL.
After the match, a relieved Bostock was able to joke about his Panenka gaffe while chatting to BT Sport.
He said: “I thought it was crossbar challenge.
“I thought that was it, if I scored that we’d have been celebrating.
“But Cedwyn Scott missed a penalty against Wrexham and he took us up today, so I’m relieved.”
Bostock debuted as a 15-year-old wonderkid for Palace during the 2007-08 season, promptly earning a move to Tottenham.
Things didn’t work out at Spurs, however, and he only made four first team appearances in five years at White Hart Lane.
Having already been on five loans away from North London, Bostock’s career took a nomadic turn.
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In the years following his Tottenham departure he played in Belgium, France and Turkey – but has now found a home at County.
He made 25 appearances this season, helping County amass a stunning 107-point haul and promotion.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
