EASTLEIGH will have to return to the scene of their Conference Premier heartbreak next season.

Richard Hill’s Spitfires lost four times to Grimsby Town this season – twice in the league and in both legs of their recent play-off semi final.

The Mariners’ hopes of a return to the Football League, though, were dashed this afternoon when they lost 5-3 to Bristol Rovers on penalties after a 1-1 play-off final draw at Wembley.

Lee Mansell kept his cool to score the winning spot-kick as Rovers – managed by former Salisbury boss Darrell Clarke – sealed an immediate return to the Football League.

Clarke took the bold move of replacing goalkeeper Will Puddy with Steve Mildenhall at the end of extra time but the former Mariners stopper was not needed as Jon-Paul Pittman blazed his penalty over.

With every other penalty put away after the sides could not be separated following a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes, Mansell had the opportunity to win it for Rovers and he made no mistake to spark wild scenes at Wembley.

Grimsby needed more than a slice of fortune to take an early advantage as Lenell John-Lewis' shot rebounded off Puddy and onto his face before rolling across the line.

Rovers levelled when Aristote Nsiala sliced a clearance over his own bar and, from the resultant corner, Ellis Harrison punished more bad defending by firing the ball home from close range.