FORMER York City ace Ray Warburton was in dreamland today after helping head Boston United to the Football League for the first time in their 67-year-old history.

The 31-year-old defender made a big contribution to the 2-0 victory at Hayes which clinched automatic promotion to the Third Division for the Pilgrims.

The Lincolnshire side were leading 1-0 through Simon Weatherstone's fourth minute goal yesterday when midfielder Peter Costello was sent off for a second bookable offence just after half-time.

Boston boss Steve Evans made a tactical substitution, sending on substitute Warburton, who scored with his first touch, nodding in a free-kick.

"That was a championship-winning header," said Evans, whose ten-men easily hung on to the points that gave his men the Nationwide Conference title.

It completed a great double for Warburton, who won promotion to the League with Rushden and Diamonds last season when he was named Conference Player of

the Year.

There will also be a return to the League for former York City and Scarborough boss Neil Thompson, who is Evans' assistant.

Neil Tarrant, who had a spell at Bootham Crescent on loan when on Aston Villa's books, and ex-Scarborough man Paul Ellender also featured in Boston's victory.

Boston turned professional at the start of the season and their gamble paid off, despite having financial troubles during the campaign. The victory at Church Road saw them take the title on goal difference from Dagenham and Redbridge, 3-0 victors at Chester.

Next season two Conference clubs are scheduled for promotion if the Football League agrees to the move.

There was also weekend joy for former City and Rowntrees striker Neil Grayson. The 37-year-old netted Cheltenham's late equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Hartlepool in the play-off semi-final first leg in the bird to reach Division Two.

But former City chief John Ward faces an uphill struggle to get into the Premiership.

He is number two to Dave Jones at perennial bridesmaids Wolves, who crashed 3-1 at Norwich and face an uphill battle in the second leg.

Updated: 11:25 Monday, April 29, 2002