It’s four years to the day since Huddersfield Town returned to the Championship.

May 26, 2012 marked Alex Smithies out as a real homegrown hero.

After the League I play-off final clash with Sheffield United at Wembley finished goalless after extra time, the keeper, who was only selected after Ian Bennett picked up a hand injury, was Town’s shoot-out hero.

But his heroics weren’t confined to saving spot kicks.

He also scored the decisive penalty as Town, having missed their first three efforts from 12 yards out, won 8-7.

Tommy Miller, Damien Johnson and Alan Lee were unable to notch from the spot.

But Neil Collins was the only sharp-shooter for the Blades in their first three penalties, with Smithies saving from Lee Williamson and Matthew Lowton.

Town skipper Peter Clarke then scored, and after Andy Taylor hit a post, it was 2-2 after four kicks apiece.

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Both sides scored their next six, with Scott Arfield, Jordan Rhodes, Gary Roberts, Calum Woods, Jack Hunt and Sean Morrison on the mark for Town.

That sent the shoot-out into sudden death, wth the two keepers next to take.

Steve Simonsen, who was in goal for Sheffield United in the 2012 League I play-off final

Smithies scored before opposite number Steve Simonsen shot over right in front of the Town supporters in a 52,100 crowd.

Town were back in the second tier after an 11-season absence.

The match itself had been a cagey affair, with Danny Ward hitting the bar for Town while Simonsen twice saved headers from Clarke and Michael Doyle cleared off te line from Miller.

“We never expected it to get down to the goalkeepers,” reflected Town boss Simon Grayson, who had replaced the sacked Lee Clark three months earlier.

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“There was nothing in the game whatsoever, but what an unbelievable end.

“The best way to get promoted is by winning at Wembley - but I feel for Sheffield United.”

Town: Smithies, Woods, P Clarke, Morrison, Hunt, Ward (Lee, 98mins), Johnson, Miller, Rhodes, Novak (Arfield, 116mins), Higginbotham (Roberts, 79mins).

Subs not used: T Clarke, Colgan.