Carlisle United will renew their rivalry with Hartlepool United next season after the north east side won a dramatic National League play-off final.

Pools beat Torquay 5-4 on penalties after a pulsating clash at Bristol City's Ashton Gate.

Matt Buse had the decisive sudden-death kick saved for Gary Johnson's Gulls after ex-Carlisle trialist Ryan Donaldson had scored for Pools.

It sealed a return to the EFL for the Monkey Hangers after a four-year absence.

The game had finished 1-1 after extra-time after Luke Armstrong's first-half Pools opener was sensationally cancelled out by an injury-time header from Torquay keeper Lucas Covolan.

Dave Challinor's Pools, whose side included ex-Carlisle defender Gary Liddle and whose first-team coach is former Blues midfielder Antony Sweeney - with Cumbrian Jake Simpson also their strength and conditioning coach - will now face the Cumbrians for the first time since the 2016/17 campaign.

It will also mean a welcome short trip on the calendar for Chris Beech's side next season, with the 178.2-mile round trip to Victoria Park the second shortest journey on their 2021/22 league calendar.