CARL Macauley believes Witton Albion passed a psychological test after reaching a promotion play-offs final at the expense of AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday.

Rob Hopley’s stunning goal separated the sides, clinching for his side a date with Spalding United on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

A victory then will secure a return to the Northern Premier League’s top-flight two years after they were relegated.

Albion were overwhelming favourites to beat Diamonds, who they had already beaten twice this season without conceding a goal.

But Macauley told the Guardian that could have been a distraction.

“It was a big, big win for us,” he said.

“Sometimes so much can be stacked in your favour that it works against you.

“Rushden had nothing to lose; they’d crept into fifth place and weren’t under any pressure.

“My lads handled that brilliantly; they were relaxed, and went onto the field and produced a performance.”

Witton’s success against Sheffield last Saturday took them to 96 points, a total that would have won them the Division One South title in each of the past seven years.

Instead they must beat Spalding, who came from 2-0 down to draw at Wincham Park when they visited earlier this month, to reach the next level.

“It’s a final, and that makes it unpredictable,” said Macauley.

“Our job is half-done, nothing more.

“We have to keep doing what we have, and the rest will look after itself.

“I keep hearing people say we’ve been unlucky not to win the league, but that doesn’t matter now – it’s all on one game.

“I’m happy that will be in front of our own supporters, who were fantastic again [on Tuesday].

“They’ve always been by our side, even when we’ve not delivered a result or a performance.

“We need them one last time.”