First held at what is now known as the Bet 365 Stadium, the home of Stoke City, the opening play-off final set the tone as Doncaster Rovers and Dagenham & Redbridge played out a five-goal thriller.

It was Donny who reigned victorious, defeating the Daggers 3-2 and clinching victory via the golden goal method, which is no longer in use.

The event has since moved to the home of football, Wembley Stadium, and the contest has continued to deliver unforgettable moments for a wealth of clubs.

There have been 23 National League play-off finals in history, with 22 different winners, but which five finals rank as the greatest? DAZN News looks back at the stellar showdowns.

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5. Solihull Moors 2-2 Bromley (2023-24) (Bromley won 4-3 on penalties)

In 2024, Bromley clinched promotion to the Football League via one of the most dramatic National League play-off finals in history, and it is fair to say they have not looked back.

The Ravens had finished the season in third, five points and two positions above Solihull Moors, who had also never played above the fifth tier.

Andy Woodman's side took the lead twice in normal time through frontman Michael Cheek, but were quickly pegged back through goals from Joe Sbarra and Jamey Osborne.

In extra time, Bromley substitute Alex Kirk twice hit the woodwork, but neither side could find a winner as the tie headed to the dreaded penalty shootout.

Ravens shot-stopper Grant Smith saved twice from Tyrese Shade and Joss Labadie, while Solihull goalkeeper Nick Hayes denied Ashley Charles to keep his side in contention.

Fittingly, it was Bromley Captain Byron Webster who fired home the winning penalty, extending his unbeaten record at Wembley Stadium and promoting his club to the EFL for the first time in its 132-year history.

Woodman's men achieved a second successive promotion this season by finishing top of League Two as they enter a new dawn in South East London, facing the likes of Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday.

4. Hereford United 3-2 Halifax Town (2005-06) (after extra time)

Hereford United and Halifax Town played out a play-off final thriller in 2006 that had all of the ingredients to make it a classic showdown.

The Shaymen, who were led by current Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder, took the lead twice through Lewis Killen and John Grant, but their efforts were cancelled out twice as the Welsh side took matters to extra time.

It felt like the game was destined to go to penalties in what was a cagey extra-time until Ryan Green floated in a left-footed effort into the Halifax net.

The match was marred by controversy as Herford Tamika Mkandawire clearly handled the ball inside his own area early on, following a cross from Ryan Sugden.

However, to even it up, the Shaymen were fortunate not to concede a penalty themselves when Rob Purdie was brought down by Tyrone Thompson.

Since their promotion in 2006, the Bulls now find themselves playing in the National League North, while Halifax are in the National League.

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3. Notts County 2-2 Chesterfield Town (2022-23) (Notts County won 4-3 on penalties)

In the 2022-23 season, Wrexham and Notts County played out one of the greatest National League title races of all time, with the Red Dragons clinching promotion by beating their rivals on the penultimate weekend.

That meant that the Magpies entered the raffle of the play-offs despite finishing on 108 points and 23 clear of their opponents in the final, Chesterfield Town.

The play-off final was played out in an equally pulsating manner, as Luke Williams' side twice came from behind, once in normal time and once in extra time, to take the contest to penalties.

What made the clash unique was that County brought on substitute goalkeeper Archie Mair for Sam Slocombe in the 120th minute, with Mair saving twice in the shootout.

That was in stark contrast to Slocombe, who had a calamitous first half as his challenge on Andy Dallas allowed the striker to put Chesterfield ahead from the penalty spot.

Nonetheless, it was Notts County who triumphed, and ironically, the two sides are set to face off in the League Two play-off semi-finals this term, having only been separated by one point and one position.

2. Doncaster Rovers 3-2 Dagenham & Redbridge (2002-03) (golden goal)

The introductory Conference play-off final will likely never be replicated as the battle between Doncaster Rovers and Dagenham & Redbridge was decided by a golden goal.

For those less familiar with the golden goal rule, it was introduced in 1993 by FIFA as a means to end the game before it went to penalties, with the team that scored first in extra time clinching victory. 

Doncaster went two goals up and looked to be ending their five-year stay in the fifth tier against part-time Dagenham, only for the Daggers to find their feet and claw the game back to two apiece.

With the sides locked at 2-2, the match went to a predictably nervy extra time when both sides knew that the next goal would win what had been a compelling contest.

Then, Francis Tierney popped up with the all-important header in the 110th minute to send Dave Penney's side back to the Football League.

Donny currently ply their trade in League 1 while the Daggers, who were recently taken over by YouTuber turned boxer KSI, play in the National League South.

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1. Oldham Athletic 3-2 Southend United (2024-25) (after extra time)

Last season's National League play-off final was one to savour as Oldham Athletic and Southend United put on a show fitting for the record 52,115 fans in attendance.

Neither Oldham nor Southend could get anywhere near second-placed York City in the regular season, with the Latics finishing fifth and the Shrimpers occupying seventh, but as is the case in the play-offs, that went out of the window.

What made this clash stand out was the extra-time drama as they entered the final 30 minutes locked at 1-1, only for both sides to take the lead in a frantic half hour.

When Leon Chambers-Parillon came off the bench to nod Kevin Maher's side in front in extra time, they must have thought they would walk away with promotion to League 2, but Oldham had other ideas.

Instead, Latics substitutes James Norwood and Kian Harratt bagged two goals in two minutes to put their side 3-2 up, and that is how the score remained at the full-time whistle.

The high-octane encounter also included a penalty and an own goal, and encapsulated why the playoffs are so gripping for the neutrals.

The Latics have more than held their own in League Two this season, finishing in 10th while Southend finished sixth in the National League only to be knocked out of a play-off eliminator by Scunthorpe United.

How to watch Boreham Wood vs. Rochdale exclusively on DAZN

The play-off finals for all three divisions in the National League will be available on DAZN for £14.99 with an NLTV Season Pass.

From next season, DAZN will have more National League coverage than ever before with:

• 400+ National League games live on DAZN from the 26/27 season
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*3pm Saturday kick-offs are subject to TV blackout restrictions, but available to watch later on Saturday on demand