Phew, what a game, what a finish – and a probable world record into the bargain.

After 105 minutes of intense, hard-fought rugby league, Whitehaven reached the League One play-off final with a 10-metre drop goal from Steve Roper to snatch a dramatic 21-20 victory over York City Knights.

They will travel to Cumbrian rivals Barrow next Sunday for a grudge match to earn the right to contest the Championship next year.

The game was one of the longest ever played in professional rugby league history and the club's general manager Amanda Hewer believes it may in fact be the longest.

The game first went to ten minutes each way and then, with the scores still deadlocked, it was the first to score – and after six more minutes it was Roper who nailed the successful drop.

Before then, in the closing stages and over the extra-time period there had been eight attempts at a drop goal, most defended with admirable charge-downs – plus a few poor efforts which were well short – and a near-winner from Paul Crook which came back off the woodwork.

In the end it was a shame there had to be a loser for all 34 players involved had given their all to the respective causes.

York had started the better, to open up a 10-0 lead, but Whitehaven finished strongly to lead 12-10 at the break. That lead was extended to 20-10 as Whitehaven took charge but York produced a fine comeback to square it up at 20-20 and take the semi-final to extra-time and the golden point.

York, beaten 26-16 a fortnight ago at the Recreation Ground, were determined to start well and they had taken the lead on five minutes.

Whitehaven were breached out to the left of the posts by returning full-back Ash Robson, and Connor Robinson put over the conversion.

Although Connor Holliday went close for Whitehaven, when he just failed to get on the end of a kick through from Dion Aiye, it was general York who called the shots.

They scored their second try on 13 minutes when second-row forward Joe Batchelor crashed over but, crucially, Robinson failed with the kick.

Whitehaven gradually started to get a foothold in the game, and after 31 minutes Jessie Joe Parker dived in for a vital try which Crook converted.

Then right on the hooter, with Whitehaven clearly gaining the upper hand, Tommy Holland barged over under the posts to level up and Cook sent them into the break with a narrow two-point lead.

Whitehaven could have been in trouble at the start of the second half when Dion Aiye was sent to the sin-bin but the 12 men fronted up well and actually added to their lead with a Crook penalty on 46 minutes.

They were back to full strength when they spun the ball wide on 56 minutes for Parker to fire over for his second try and Crook added a fine touchline conversion.

With a ten-point lead Whitehaven looked to be taking over at the right time but, credit to York, they fought back well and cut the gap to four points when former Super League hooker Andy Ellis squeezed over and Robinson converted.

The momentum seemed to be back with York when Robson scored his second try of the game on 72 minutes but again, for the second time, Robinson hit the conversion the wrong side of the posts.

So it was now a slog, a test of fitness in the strength-sapping conditions. Drop goal opportunities came and went, with Crook nearest against the post.

Extra time of 20 minutes still couldn’t separate the two teams and as they played on Roper finally nailed the drop goal in the 105th minute to earn Haven a trip to Barrow.

WHITEHAVEN: Miller, Calvert, Taylor, Parker, Burns, Aiye, Crook, Shackley, Tilley, Riley, Holliday, McAvoy, Forster. Subs (all used) Newton, Roper, Olstrom, Holland.

Tries: Parker (2), Holland. Goals: Crook (4/4). Drop goal: Roper.

YORK CITY KNIGHTS: Robson, Morrison, Haynes, Hey, Saxton, C. Robinson, Harris, Dixon, Elli, Siddons, Batchelor, Spears. Subs (all used) Carter, Moran, A. Robinson, Porter.

Tries: Robson (2), Batchelor, Ellis.

Goals: C. Robinson (2/4).

Penalties: 11-8

Referee: John McMullen

Crowd: 853

Half time: 12-10

Star Man: MARC SHACKLEY