Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke admitted he was the most relieved man in Wembley Stadium after Oxford United secured promotion.

The former Northwich keeper’s clanger just before half-time gave York City a lifeline after the U’s had dominated.

But United battled back strongly after the break and deservedly won a place back in the Football League.

“I must be one of, if not the first players to score an own goal at Wembley, so I guess I’ve got my place in history,” Clarke joked.

“But seriously, it was one of those moments.

“When the cross came in, I had already in my mind caught the ball and bowled it upfield – that’s how confident I was.

“But it just slipped out, went into the net and the feeling is unbelievable.

“The lads were great, Jake Wright came straight over, and I’d like to think I made up for it in the second half with my display.”

Clarke, who won United’s player-of-the-year award, suffered the same fate in the home game with Tamworth this season.

But he has vowed to come back stronger.

“I will get better and better,” he said.

“You learn from mistakes, and I have seen keepers on £50,000 a week do that, so it can happen to anyone else as well.

“It will happen to people again, it was just such a blow that it happened when it did today – but we won, so that’s all that matters.”

He added: “It’s just unreal. When I came out the tunnel before the game, it was just one of the most awesome feelings you can experience.

“The fans have been unbelievable all season, and today was no different.”