Southend promoted to League One after dramatic penalty shootout

23 May 2015 22:31

Southend United have gained promotion to League One after a tense penalty shootout again Wycombe Wanderers that ended in 7-6.

It was 0-0 after 90 minutes in the League Two play-off final, and Wycombe seemed close to victory as goalkeeper Daniel Bentley scored an own goal five minutes into extra time. But then Joe Pigott equalised at 122 minutes, which took the clash to penalties.

Later Bentley became the hero of the night as he saved penalties from Matt Bloomfield and Sam Wood to lead his team to victory.

Southend United players congratulate goalkeeper Daniel Bentley (centre) as they celebrate their victory in the penalty shoot-out during the Sky Bet League Two Play Off Final at Wembley Stadium, London.
Daniel Bentley is congratulated by his team mates  (Nick Potts/PA)

Southend boss Phil Brown told Sky Sports: ”Penalty shoot-outs are in the lap of the Gods and when we went a goal behind I thought it was game over,”

“But the kids, the young lads, the old lads, everybody out there showed a lot of character to win the game. To get the equaliser in the 120th minute just shows you what we’re about.

“We’ve got to dust ourselves down in the summer now and try and enjoy it and come back in the first division. That’s what we set out to achieve at the start of the season and that’s what we’ve done today.”

It’s safe to say the Southend fans are feeling proud.

While Wycombe fans were, of course, heartbroken.

Source: SNAPPA