The play-off programme reaches its climax on Monday, with the final promotion place set to be decided at Wembley.

Stockport and Rochdale go head to head - with the prize on offer a step up to Coca-Cola League One.

County are slight favourites, and striker Liam Dickinson believes the match will be a "dream come true" in a two-and-a-half year journey which has taken him from non-league Woodley to the drama of Wembley.

The 22-year-old hitman arrived at Edgeley Park from local non-league side Woodley Sports in January 2006 with the Hatters five points adrift of League Two safety.

But the 6ft 5in striker defied his humble beginnings by making an immediate impact as he scored on his debut before going on to net seven priceless goals during the second half of the season to play a crucial role in steering the Hatters to safety.

Dickinson has since become synonymous with County's dramatic turnaround in fortunes under boss Jim Gannon and his 20 goals this season, including the decisive strike in the 1-0 semi-final second-leg victory over Wycombe, have inspired the Hatters.

He said: "Obviously it's got that added edge being at Wembley and it could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of us but no-one is nervous and there's a really relaxed atmosphere amongst the lads.

"We're all proud as a team and as a club of how much we've achieved over the last two-and-a-half years.

"And for me personally to have come from Woodley to Wembley in those two-and-a-half years is just a dream come true.

"I've managed to score four goals already against Rochdale this season but that's in the past and it won't matter a bit because it's all down to what happens on the day.

"I've been playing up front on my own for the majority of the season but I don't feel any extra burden to get the goals because I've got excellent creative support behind me from the likes of Stephen Gleeson and Tommy Rowe and that helps a lot."

Opponents Rochdale hold the unwanted title of being the club with the longest unbroken run in the bottom tier of the Football League after 34 years in the division.

But Dale boss Keith Hill believes it is time for his players to write their name into Spotland folklore.

He explained: "I haven't got an association with the history of the club and we're just trying to create history.

"But I do feel for the fans. Every programme we read there's something in there with respect to our league standing and the fact we're the longest serving club within the Football League's basement division and it's about time we turned that page.

"The fans want to turn that page as much as we do. We're hungry for success and that is key.

"We've got hungry young players. They want to be successful and do well in their careers."

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