SWINDON Town are one step closer to finding out the club’s final League Two opponent after the National League play-off eliminator ties took place over the weekend.

Mark Ellis’ 90th-minute header gave Notts County a 3-2 victory over local rivals Chesterfield in the first play-off eliminator at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

A thoroughly entertaining match looked to be heading for extra time until the unmarked defender nodded Ruben Rodrigues’ free-kick past injured Spireites goalkeeper James Montgomery.

Montgomery played the majority of the second half with a leg problem and was hardly able to walk. Had the 27-year-old been properly mobile, he would surely have come to collect the cross.

It was harsh on the visitors who had twice led during the first half through Danny Rowe’s free-kick and a lovely team goal rounded off by Liam Mandeville’s tap-in.

Kyle Wootton equalised on each occasion. First after Rodrigues had charged down a clearance by Curtis Weston and then when he reacted quickest at a corner to poke the ball home.

Former Magpie Nathan Tyson had a glorious chance to restore Chesterfield’s lead late on but Slocombe made a fine block when one-on-one with the veteran forward. It proved a pivotal moment, as Ellis popped up with the winner right at the end to set up a tie with Torquay United.

Meanwhile, three goals in seven first-half minutes did the damage as Hartlepool booked their place in the semi-finals of the play-offs with a 3-2 win over Bromley.

Rhys Oates grabbed a brace and Luke Armstrong was also on the scoresheet as Pools proved just too strong.

Bush looped in a shot that was headed off the line by defender Gary Liddle with goalkeeper Brad James stranded as Bromley looked to hit back, and a double substitution at the start of the second half paid immediate dividends.

James Alabi had been on the pitch for three minutes when he headed home from a well-worked corner routine.

Hartlepool weathered the storm and were seeing the game out comfortably, only to concede a second goal in stoppage time as Alex Mitchell and home substitute Danny Elliott went for the same ball and a touch took it past James.

Dave Challinor’s side will now face Stockport next Sunday to try to secure a place at Ashton Gate for the June 20 final.