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      NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE 
2002/03
      P W D L F A Pts
 

Leading League goalscorer:
Paul Barnes
(Doncaster Rovers)
 25  goals

Yeovil Town finally made it to the Football League, winning the Conference title in convincing style.

Match of the season though belonged to Farnborough with a 4th Round FA Cup draw Farnborough Town v Arsenal. The tie was switched to Highbury but although Arsenal won 5-1 a 35, 108 crowd ensured Farnborough had plenty of the 2 'Ms' - memories and money!

For the first time two clubs were promoted to the Football League, the second one being decided by play-offs. The play-offs proved to be closely fought with both semi-finals being decided on penalties. The final, played at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium in front of 13,092 spectators, was won by Doncaster with a 'golden goal' in extra time.

Nuneaton Borough were relegated to the Southern League, Southport to the Northern Premier League and Kettering Town to the Isthmian League.

Accrington Stanley were promoted from the Northern Premier League, Aldershot Town from the Isthmian League and Tamworth from the Southern League.

   1 Yeovil Town 42 28 11 3 100 37 95 Promoted
    2 Morecambe 42 23 9 10 86 42 78 Play Off
    3 Doncaster Rovers 42 22 12 8 73 47 78 Promoted
    4 Chester City 42 21 12 9 59 31 75 Play Off
    5 Dagenham & Redbridge 42 21 9 12 71 59 72 Play Off
    6 Hereford United 42 19 7 16 64 51 64
    7 Scarborough 42 18 10 14 63 54 64
    8 Halifax Town 42 18 10 14 50 51 64
    9 Forest Green Rovers 42 17 8 17 61 62 59
    10 Margate 42 15 11 16 60 66 56
    11 Barnet 42 13 14 15 65 68 53
    12 Stevenage Borough 42 14 10 18 61 55 52

    13 Farnborough Town 42 13 12 17 57 56 51
    14 Northwich Victoria 42 13 12 17 66 72 51
    15 Telford United 42 14 7 21 54 69 49
    16 Burton Albion 42 13 10 19 52 77 49
    17 Gravesend & Northfleet 42 12 12 18 62 73 48
    18 Leigh RMI 42 14 6 22 44 71 48
    19 Woking 42 11 14 17 52 81 47
    20 Nuneaton Borough 42 13 7 22 51 78 46 Relegated
    21 Southport 42 11 12 19 54 69 45 Relegated
    22 Kettering Town 42 8 7 27 37 73 31 Relegated
   
   

Promoted Champions Yeovil Town were promoted automatically to the Football League, Promoted Doncaster Rovers were promoted through the new Conference play-offs. Exeter City and Shrewsbury Town were relegated to the Conference from the Football League.
   
   
Play Off Semi Finals Play Off
1st Leg
Thu May 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 2 - 1 Morecambe
Thu May 1 Doncaster Rovers 1 - 1 Chester City
2ndLeg
Mon May 5 Morecambe 2 - 1 Dagenham & Redbridge
Mon May 5 Chester City 1 - 1 Doncaster Rovers
Aggregate scores
Dagenham & Redbridge 3 - 3 Morecambe
   (Dagenham won 3 - 2 on penalties)
Doncaster Rovers 2 - 2 Chester City
   (Doncaster won 4 - 3 on penalties)
Play Off Final (at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke)
Sat May 10 Doncaster Rovers 3 - 2 Dagenham & Redbridge
  (Doncaster won by scoring a 'golden goal' in extra time)
Doncaster Rovers were promoted to the Football League