SO often the hero, at times a loveable rascal, but there's no doubting Salisbury City striker Matt Tubbs has the knack of making his mark when it matters most.

Just as he did in the FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest earlier this season, he duly delivered the goods in Sunday's play-off final against Braintree Town to make this campaign one City followers will never forget.

Despite being under the cosh for large chunks of the second half of the tie, played at Steven-age Borough's ground, Tubbs sent the Salisbury faithful into raptures slamming home Luke Prince's cross six minutes from time to steer the Whites into the top tier of non-league football.

It was his 30th goal of the campaign, and his 88th for the club. He may have scored more spectacular goals, but none have been as crucial.

By his own admission Tubbs hadn't enjoyed the best of games. Braintree's defence - almost as miserly as City's - had kept him quiet for most of it, but as they threw caution to the wind in search of glory, they were picked off in clinical fashion as Robbie Matthews, on for Paul Sales, released Luke Prince down the left.

He picked out his team mate with a precision pass and Tubbs did the rest.

The Whites had just about edged the first half - though chances were few and far between.

City settled first, Tubbs forcing their first corner inside five minutes - Matt Holmes taking it short to Mike Fowler, whose initial cross was blocked.

Paul Sales headed well wide shortly after from a Scott Bartlett long throw.

Braintree's first meaningful move saw Robbie Martin deliver a promising cross in the tenth minute only for the immaculate Jon Bass to execute a typically perfect saving tackle.

Martin went close two minutes later with a free kick, conceded on the edge of the City box. He lifted the ball over the six-man wall but also over the bar.

Whites were strong in the tackle - Matt Robinson winning the ball to snuff out another Braintree attempt.

Fowler was caught late by Martin, but referee Paul Forrester decided a stern talking to was sufficient. Holmes delivered the free kick into the danger area but Braintree custodian Nick Morgan claimed it just ahead of Aaron Cook.

Whites enjoyed a busy period of pressure, but without troubling Morgan further.

Braintree forced their first corner on 21 minutes, Bradley Quinton's cross was cleared by Paul Sales only as far James Baker, who sliced his shot wide when well-placed.

Tubbs had half-a-chance on 29 minutes, but fired straight at Morgan.

The striker was lively again just after the half-hour mark and although caught late by his marker, Forrester decided no card was necessary.

Robinson's free kick was half-cleared, Fowler reacted first and his shot was blocked on the line by Russell Edwards at the expense of a corner.

There were then claims for a penalty as Edwards appeared to handle the ball after a neat move involving Robinson, Tubbs and Sales, left the defender on the floor.

Referee Forrester was on the case soon after when Bartlett went over after clashing with Martin. The excellent Forrester had words with both before resuming with just a throw-in.

City were now stringing passes together with ease on a superb playing surface and a flowing move resulted in Prince finding Tubbs, but the striker fired high over the bar.

Prince went for goal himself in the next attack but a deflection took the sting out of his shot and Morgan gathered easily.

As the first half drew to a close, City had to defend a corner after Tim Bond intercepted Quinton's cross.

Three minutes of stoppage time were played but the only incident of note saw Forrester forced to produce a yellow card after Andy Porter caught Rob-inson late as the City player looked to start another City attack.

The second half began with City kicking towards their highly vocal fans, packed shoulder to shoulder behind the Braintree goal.

But it was the Essex side who now looked the livelier.

Quinton's 46th-minute free kick was cleared at the expense of a corner by Bass.

Quinton again delivered the ball into a packed Salisbury box, but Clarke claimed majestically.

Moments later Braintree were handed another corner despite Cook playing the ball off an attacker for what should have been a goal kick. This time Fowler cleared Quinton's cross.

Braintree had their best chance so far on 51 minutes when Quinton's free kick was headed on by Andy Porter into the path of Billy Burgess who slid in, but missed the target.

Holmes won a strong challenge in midfield, but had to leave the field shortly after for treatment as blood poured onto his shirt from a face wound.

On 62 minutes Braintree were almost gifted the lead.

A rare mistake by skipper Cook put Clarke under pressure - his back pass proving too strong for the keeper. Fortunately for City, it was only at the expense of a corner.

His shift at the coal face complete, Sales was replaced on 63 minutes by Matthews.

But the action was still pretty much at the other end.

City's defence enjoyed some respite when Bartlett and Holmes combined to release Tubbs, who won a corner.

Prince's delivery eluded everyone but City had got their breath back.

Whites won a free kick in a dangerous position shortly after - Prince's strike deflecting off the three-man wall for another corner in front of the City fans.

This time Prince's delivery was spot on and Braintree had to scramble the ball off the line for another corner as Cook and Tubbs looked to turn the ball into the net.

Prince crossed from the other wing, but Braintree stood firm.

On 73 minutes City were saved only by the upright after a swift Town move threatened to break the deadlock.

Bertie Brayley found James Baker, who after beating Clarke, saw his shot drift away from the goal-line and onto the far post before being cleared.

It was a huge let off for Whites and though Braintree might have sensed the game was finally turning their way, City's fans weren't giving up on their heroes.

Easily outnumbering the Braintree followers, the roar from the black and white army that then reverberated around Broadhall Way, made the hairs on the back of many a neck stand on end.

If there was a moment that changed the game, this was it.

Braintree had enjoyed their best spell of the game but had failed to make it count.

Tommy Widdrington left the technical area to replace the courageous Holmes, the popular player-coach's arrival raising the decibel level even higher.

Three minutes later, Whites drew blood. Braintree were caught on the hop by Matthews' pace, the substitute holding the ball up well before playing a delightful ball to Prince.

More blistering pace had Braintree on their heels and Prince's low cross into the box was met by that man Tubbs, who made no mistake.

It was a goal worthy of winning any cup tie on any stage - one beautifully creative move, one clinical finish.

Salisbury fans raised the roof as their hero celebrated with them.

The chants of City's going up' to the tune of KC & The Sunshine Band's Give It Up' at last began to ring true.

Instructions from the bench were barked out, probably urging City's players to keep their composure, or to make no mistakes - but all lost to the cacophony of noise from the Salisbury fans, now on their feet all around the ground.

Braintree boss George Borg gambled - his last roll of the dice produced a triple substitution.

And it so nearly paid off.

Ryan Clarke made a stunning save to deny James Hawes, whose header looked destined to take the tie into extra time.

But it was City's day.

Three minutes were added to the 90.

Clarke found Matthews who immediately got Tubbs involved again, this time his shot flashed wide.

There was a rare moment of nastiness off the field when Prince was shoved by a member of the Braintree team in the technical area as the ball went out of play, but referee Forrester again dealt with it sensibly.

Prince was withdrawn deep into stoppage time as Jon Beswetherick, now fully recovered from the knee injury that threatened to ruin his season, stepped onto the stage for a brief cameo - a deserved moment in the limelight after such a tortured campaign.

Another look at the watch.

Another deep breath.

Referee Forrester's whistle was barely audible over the din from City's fans already celebrating their side going up to the Conference.

Some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over.

But the mother of all parties was only just beginning!

Salisbury City, little Salisbury City, who so nearly bit the dust just five summers ago, were going up to the Conference!

The celebrations were curtailed only briefly as stewards at Stevenage cleared the pitch in order for the presentations to be made.

The quartet of officials first, then the dejected Braintree players - sportingly applauded for their part in a pulsating final by the Salisbury supporters.

And then it all kicked off again.

Matt Holmes led the Whites out - though his team mates stayed in the tunnel for the first big laugh of the night as the manager's son wandered onto the pitch alone.

Each and every player was cheered as they received their medals.

Unsung heroes - Barry Blankley, Conrad Parrott, Kev Bushby, Ian Harris - all rewarded with a lump of gold on a silky Nationwide ribbon.

Danny Clay - cruelly forced to sit the final out through suspension, Declan McGregor, Alex Haddow, Matt Bulman, Simon Browne - all have played their part in this tremendous season, joined the victorious line-up.

And then a moment of pure joy as skipper Aaron Cook lifted the promotion cup.

You beauty!

Salisbury City are in the Conference!

Altogether nowgive us a D. I. S. C. O. Let's all have a disco!