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As expected the atmosphere was electric with Wednesday fans outnumbering Hartlepool supporters nearly 3 to 1.
Both sides started well as the high paced game swang from end to end as neither side could keep hold of the ball long enough to get the first decisive goal in the early play.
In the last 10 minutes Hartlepool gave Wednesday too much space in midfield and the team who finished fourth place made some good chances, several of which were spurened by Chris Brunt.
In injury time in the first half Sheffield Wednesday scored after good work from Roadcastle saw him square the ball to JP McGovern for an easy finish.
Hartlepool reshaped in the 2nd half and within 10 minutes were 2-1 in front through two defensive lapses by the Owls.
With the game looking beyond them and Hartlepool in the assendency, Sturrock made all his three permited changes and went for it. Instantly this had an impact as confusion the the Hartlepool defense caused Chris Westwood to give away a penalty with eight minutes to go, an offense which he was sent off for.
Top scorer Steve Maclean equalised from the spot as Sheff Wed looked to extend their advantage with the extra man.
After 94 minutes the sides could not be seperated but in extra time Wednesday boosted by the extra man played some excellent football and Hartlepool could do nothing but cling on.
The Yorkshire club started extra time like they meant business going straight for goals and Glen Whelan duely obliged with an excellent solo run after a mistake in the Hartlepool defense and as Hartlepool pushed forward in one last effort Drew Talbot broke away with 30 seconds to go in the game, rounding the keeper and sending the Owls up to the Championship.
A great game both sides entertained throughly and it was a truely colouful experience at the Millenium Stadium, the losers Hartlepool make up the 24th team in League One next season whilst the Owls put themselves one League below the Premiership showing a brand of football with a young team which is bound to be a sucess in the Coca Cola Championship.
Both sets of supporters behaved impecably and even though the game swung backwards and forwards there was always excellent support from both sets of fans who were a credit to their clubs.
Well done to both sides and at least we can say that we got knocked out by the winners! Not much consolation but never mind!