Exeter City are one game away from a Football League return after an incredible Conference play-off semi-final triumph over Torquay on Monday.Paul Tisdale's Grecians staged a memorable comeback to comfortably beat their Devon rivals 4-1 at Plainmoor in the second leg, sealing a 5-3 aggregate success and a place in the Wembley decider against either Burton or Cambridge on Sunday May 18.

Tisdale will hope it can be second time lucky after suffering heartbreak in last year's play-off final at the national stadium, where City were beaten 2-1 by Morecambe.

The Gulls, managed by former Exeter assistant boss Paul Buckle, edged last Thursday's first leg at St James' Park 2-1.

And they looked to be heading for the final when, in the 59th minute, long-serving midfielder Kevin Hill's volleyed effort from 12 yards out broke the deadlock in front of just over 6,000 fans.

But the opener seemed to shock the visitors back to reality and they drew level 10 minutes later courtesy of substitute Ryan Harley's acute finish from the edge of the box.

The Grecians continued to push for their second and finally got the breakthrough they were looking for in the 80th minute when Torquay's Chris Zebroski fouled Richard Logan in the box.

Ben Watson coolly slotted home the resulting spot-kick to put the clubs on even terms and set up a tense finish to the game.

Torquay seemed to lose their focus and crucially fell behind for the first time in the tie in the 89th minute after Logan headed in from the centre of the penalty area.

Then, with just a handful of minutes left on the clock, Exeter's Wayne Carlisle landed the knockout punch with a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner.

The Grecians can now look forward to facing the winner of the other play-off semi-final, the second leg of which will take place at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Cambridge drew 2-2 in the first-leg tie at Burton's Pirelli Stadium.

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