Newport County's dramatic final-day escape from relegation had club ambassador Mark O'Brien fighting back tears as the Exiles secured their League Two status in stunning fashion.
O'Brien, whose iconic goal against Notts County kept Newport in the Football League back in 2017, watched from the sidelines as his former side pulled off another incredible great escape. Trailing 1-0 at half-time at Barrow's SO Legal Stadium, the Exiles were staring at the prospect of dropping into the National League.
But this is Newport County - a club that specializes in heart-stopping drama. Goalkeeper Jordan Wright kept hopes alive with a crucial penalty save, before Tom Davies and Bobby Kamwa scored second-half goals to complete a remarkable 2-1 comeback victory.
"It was an emotional roller-coaster," O'Brien told BBC Radio Wales. "You hear the chatter around you of the other results coming in. It took me back to 2017 - you sit there and think 'it can't end like this'."
The former captain admitted the tension was almost too much to bear. "At some points I was looking at fans and they had tears in their eyes. When the players popped up with the goals they did, tears came to my eyes. It was a goosebump moment - the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. When you're there experiencing it, it's like no other feeling. It's the reason why we love football, for moments like this."
Newport's season looked destined for disaster back in November when they sat four points adrift of safety. The board made a bold move, appointing former Leicester City defender and Premier League winner Christian Fuchs as head coach. Now Fuchs has written his name into Newport folklore with this latest chapter in the club's storied history of survival.
"When you face adversity and power through it, the next way is up," O'Brien added. "The players have that huge feeling now of what this club means to the city. You'd hope that now it starts the next chapter for Newport. The fans have been nothing but amazing all season - this is the magic of Newport and what has kept me around for so long. You could make a movie of Newport time and time again."