Reaction from goalkeeper Dan Swan after Bourne Town win promotion

Goalkeeper Dan Swan hailed the sense of unity in the Bourne Town squad after playing a crucial role in helping the Wakes win promotion on Saturday.

Swan saved two penalties in the shoot-out as Bourne beat Boston Town 8-7 on penalties in the United Counties League Premier Division North play-offs.

It capped a terrific campaign for the Wakes who also enjoyed a club record breaking run in the FA Vase and reached the final of the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy.

Swan said: "It felt pretty emotional afterwards but we're absolutely buzzing.

"The lads have dug in all year and we've got what we deserve.

"It has been hard but what we've got in the changing room is that everyone will stick together and you can't fault that."

Bourne had to battle back after conceding a goal late in the first half to Jordan Nuttell's opener for Boston.

Brad Marshall equalised after the break before Bourne held their nerve in the shoot-out in front of a crowd of more than 1,750 spectators.

Swan saved the final penalty after also keeping out the fourth spot kick following Bourne's only miss of the shoot-out.

He added: "You can't fault us for coming back from 1-0 down because we responded and got the goal and then the penalty shoot-out is a lottery.

"We played Boston last year in the county cup and lost to them on penalties so I tried to remember then which way their boys went.

"It is a guess but, if you go the right way, then you've got half a chance of saving it.

"It was an unreal feeling at the end."

Bourne had just missed out on the league title on the final day of the season after finishing runners-up to Lincoln United.

They were just a point adrift of the Whites after a poor run of form in February which had followed a flurry of wins.

Swan said: "We were riding the line but then ended up falling off it for four games but we got back on it and to win the play-off is amazing.

"This is the best club that I've ever played for in terms of behind the scenes, in the changing rooms, the gaffer and everything.

"You're never going to get another club like this around here and you won't find a crowd of more than 1,700 at this level anywhere either."

Swan was named man of the match by game sponsors Ayliff's Garage after another impressive performance in his third season with the club after joining from Deeping Rangers.

He has clocked up a half-century of clean sheets in his 131 appearances with a percentage of 0.91 goals conceded per game.

Manager Michael Goode said: "Swanny has got a bit of an aura about him when it comes to penalties and he's a great goalkeeper at this level."