Walsall booked a place in the League Two play-off final by completing a 4-1 aggregate victory over Chesterfield with a 2-1 win at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
Holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg, the Saddlers defended resolutely and effectively sealed progress nine minutes from time through Charlie Lakin’s close-range finish.
Armando Dobra netted a stoppage-time Chesterfield consolation but Levi Amantchi responded soon after to ensure Walsall won on the night as well as on aggregate.
Amantchi’s goal sparked the first of two pitch invasions, the second coming after the final whistle, as Walsall secured a Wembley date with Notts County or AFC Wimbledon on May 26.
Walsall – who blew a 12-point lead at the top of League Two to end up in the play-offs – started swiftly, seeking the early goal that would kill the tie.
Jamie Jellis raced clear in from the right early on but his shot from a tight angle was blocked by visiting keeper Ryan Boot.
Only four times in the near 40-year history of the EFL play-offs had an away side overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit to reach the final.
Chesterfield, though, began to threaten as Dobra tested Saddlers keeper Tommy Simkin with a fierce drive from 25 yards.
Bim Pepple threatened several times to break clear for the Spireites but was well marshalled by the home defence and when he did find space on the edge of the box, he dragged well wide.
Just before the break, Pepple had another chance when he broke free of his marker in the area but could only bobble a harmless scuffed shot that was easily collected by Simkin.
Chesterfield had the ball in the net after the interval as Jenson Metcalfe drilled into the corner from 20 yards but the whistle had long gone for a handball by the midfielder in the build-up.
Walsall should have wrapped matters up with 17 minutes left as George Hall sprinted clear to square for Amantchi but, with only Boot to beat, the substitute’s finish was too close to the keeper.
But Lakin made no such mistake on 81 minutes, bundling home fellow substitute Albert Adomah’s cross from a couple of yards out to put the tie’s outcome beyond doubt.
Chesterfield gamely attempted a late fightback as Kyle McFadzean’s shot was well blocked by Harry Williams and Ryan Colclough’s strike was straight at Simkin.
After Amantchi and Taylor Allen both dragged shots inches wide for Walsall, the visitors did claim a 94th-minute consolation when Dobra steered home from a clever Will Grigg touch.
But Walsall had the last word a minute later with Adomah the provider again, his deep cross nodded into an empty net by Amantchi at the far post.
David Martindale believes the pressure is off his Livingston side after they booked their place in the Premiership play-off final with a comfortable victory over Partick Thistle.The Lions progressed 4-0 on aggregate, securing a second 2-0 win with Jamie Brandon’s opener added to by Stevie May’s stunning half-volley.They will now face either Dundee or Ross County over two legs, with the...
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca pointed to Marc Cucurella’s Barcelona connections after the defender headed the only goal against Manchester United to keep his side’s Champions League hopes in their own hands.The 26-year-old got on the end of Reece James’ cross in the 71st minute to power home his seventh goal of the season and rescue the Blues just as two vital points looked to ...
Walsall boss Mat Sadler said guiding the Saddlers to a play-off final is the proudest moment of his footballing career after they completed a 4-1 aggregate win over Chesterfield.Late goals from Charlie Lakin and Levi Amantchi – with an Armando Dobra consolation for the Spireites in between – earned Walsall a 2-1 victory on the night.And it provided a measure of redemption for a side wh...
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery could not give any assurances over the future of Emiliano Martinez after the goalkeeper was in tears following his side’s 2-0 win over Europa League finalists Tottenham.The Argentina international has been linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer and he was emotional at full-time of Villa’s final home game of the season.Asked about the 32-year-old...
Marc Cucurella was once again Chelsea’s hero as his headed goal earned a potentially season-defining 1-0 win over Manchester United just as his side’s Champions League hopes looked to be slipping away.With 20 minutes remaining at Stamford Bridge the Blues were set to head into the final day of the Premier League season with their top-five fate out of their hands, with more poor finishi...
Livingston eased into the final of the William Hill Premiership play-offs with a comfortable 4-0 aggregate victory over Partick Thistle.Leading 2-0 from the first leg, progression for David Martindale’s side was rarely in doubt after Jamie Brandon powered them ahead five minutes before half-time.Stevie May’s sensational half-volley midway through the second half extinguished any hope o...
East Fife secured promotion to Scottish League One after a 1-1 draw at Annan clinched them a 4-3 aggregate win in their two-legged play-off final.Dick Campbell’s Fifers, who won the first leg 3-2 on Tuesday night at Bayview Stadium, fell behind on the night to an early opener from Tommy Goss, but Adam Laaref’s first-half equaliser proved decisive.Annan, without suspended pair Scott Hoo...
Aston Villa boosted their hopes of a Champions League return after a 2-0 victory over Tottenham, who had more than one eye on Wednesday’s Europa League final.Villa’s memorable run to the quarter-finals of this season’s competition gave them the taste for more and they boosted their hopes with an eighth win from their last nine Premier League games.This was probably the biggest ho...
Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign unwanted Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku in the upcoming summer transfer window.The 27-year-old looks set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after failing to establish himself under Enzo Maresca.Nkunku has featured primarily in the Europa Conference League but has managed to score 14 goals and provide five assists in his 42 games across all co...
Real Madrid have agreed a £50 million deal to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen with the highly-rated youngster set to undergo his medical.Per Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid have activated the £50 million release clause in the 20-year-old’s Bournemouth contract.The Spanish giants look set to beat several Premier League sides to his signing with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal al...
- 1 Richie Wellens hails Leyton Orient’s ‘outstanding’ victory over Stockport
- 2 Man Utd are losing the feeling of being a massive club – Ruben Amorim
- 3 Eddie Howe tells Newcastle to ‘drive forward’ and seal Champions League spot
- 4 Rangers thump Aberdeen to end five-match winless streak at Ibrox
- 5 Newcastle beat 10-man Chelsea to take step towards Champions League spot
- 6 We will see – no Unai Emery assurances over future of tearful Emiliano Martinez
- 7 Leyton Orient book Wembley date by beating Stockport on penalties
- 8 Albanian Laura Woods goes braless in pink top
- 9 AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson wary of Notts County fightback in second leg
- 10 Brendan Rodgers hits out at ‘needless challenge’ on Reo Hatate