A tense moment for fans watching the game in the Arthur Rowley Lounge at the Prostar Stadium

Supporters today spoke of their pride and euphoria as Shrewsbury Town completed an extraordinary journey to Wembley which leaves them just one game away from promotion to League One.

The win has brought widespread acclaim from across the town after fans went through all the emotions during the crucial play-off semi-final second leg away at Bury yesterday.

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It was goalkeeper Luke Daniels who was the hero of the moment as – with fans naming him their man of the match after his performance during the game and for his two penalty saves in the crucial penalty shoot-out, which Town won to clinch the trip to Wembley.

Hundreds who could not make the trip to Bury packed into the Arthur Rowley Lounge at the Prostar Stadium for a nail-biting afternoon that had every dramatic twist and turn there could possibly be.

The game had attracted people of all ages, from tiny babies, toddlers and teenagers to senior citizens all with one bond, their beloved Shrewsbury Town.

Nicola Sargeant was there with husband Matthew, three-year-old son Charlie, and an extended family that included her parents and in-laws.

The party atmosphere was almost ruined by Bury’s penalty – the first adrenaline filled moment for the fans – during open play. Daniels’ save followed by another from the rebound saw the lounge erupt for the first of many times.

“It was a great save, Daniels really redeemed himself for his mistake in the home tie,” Dave Stanworth, from Bicton, said.

As the end of normal time crept ever nearer the room grew subdued as doubts started to grow.

“We’ll do it,” Matthew Sargeant said and how right he was proved to be as moments later Town scored, Matthew hugged his son Charlie in delight, and the roof almost came off the lounge as everyone celebrated.

Full time was greeted with cheers and applause but after a welcome few minutes to recover their breath and get some fresh air the agony returned with the sending off of Shrewsbury’s sub Steve Leslie just seconds into extra time.

“It should never have been a sending off, he never touched him,” season ticket holder, Mark Jones said.

From that moment on those in the room became one living, breathing nervous wreck as 10-men Town defended their way through 30 agonising minutes.

They groaned as one when Town lost the ball again and again but cheered and clapped as the defenders held their nerve and applauded as again and again Luke Daniels kept the ball out of the net.

Everyone in the room was on their feet as the whistle blew for penalties and praise was heaped on all the players, especially Daniels.

“Whatever the result, they have all played their hearts out,” Bicton’s Stuart Leighton said.

The atmosphere was electric as Bury’s first penalty was matched by Town’s. The cheers and applause had barely died down when room erupted again as Daniels saved the next penalty.

There was a collective holding of breath as the final penalties were taken and at last the celebrations could begin with hugs and cheers and punching the air.

Deputy security officer at the Prostar, Steve Gittins, normally not able to watch all the match said: “It was brilliant, they were all outstanding, it was their best game.”

Brilliant was also the verdict of Richard Bebb and 13-year-old son, Ashley while Ryan, eight, and James Mouer, 12, both named on-loan Daniels as man of the match.

“Please can we keep him,” was the plea from Nicola Sergeant while her mum, season ticket holder, Ann Hunting said all the team were brilliant. An exhausted 11-year-old Josh Richards-Ewels, from Middletown, was planning a return trip to Wembley.

Life-long supporter, Tom Key, 15, who admitted it was the first time he been able to watch a penalty shoot-out, said it was the best game he had seen Town play.

“Daniels was amazing, we really don’t want him to go back to West Brom,” he said.

Graham Farmer admitted he was “mightily relieved”. And today people from Shrewsbury spoke of their pride at the club’s win and efforts to reach Wembley.

Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury, said he watched the match at Welti tennis centre in the town with other members.

He said the club had done well and he was delighted with their performance.

He said: “We cheered the roof off. I’m absolutely delighted and thrilled.”

Simon Airey, chairman of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, said the win would be a boost for the town’s economy. He said: “It will also be a psychological boost for the town and the town’s economy.” Ron Millar, who is well known as mascot Lenny the Lion, spoke of his delight and urged people to turn out to support the club in the play-off final.

He said: “It’s a big county. It would be nice to see everybody out in force.”

Dave Matthias, from the Blue and Amber fanzine, today said the match at Gigg Lane had been one of the best he had ever seen in 25 years of supporting the Town.

By Sue Austin