LEAGUE ONE ROUND-UP
RICHARD HORNE was not surprised to see North Wales Crusaders emerge from the bottom of the League One play-off pack to be Doncaster's opponents in the promotion final.
North Wales finished sixth in the regular table, the lowest-placed play-off qualifier, after recording seven wins from 18 - half as many as third-placed Doncaster.
But they reached Sunday's decider at the Eco-Power Stadium with a remarkable run of away successes against Workington Town, Oldham and Hunslet.
Dons coach Horne, who himself oversaw an away triumph at Hunslet to make the promotion final, praised their run before attempting to earn the club a return to the Championship after eight years in the bottom tier.
"They were pretty busted at the beginning of the year with what players they had out on the field, so they struggled early on," said Horne of the Crusaders.
"But they've got players back, they've built some confidence going into the playoffs and had a fantastic run."
Horne tried to keep the Dons warm ahead of the final with a competitive match amongst his squad last Sunday.