Awesome Iron can tame Lions
Millwall v Scunthorpe
The League One season draws to a close on Sunday as Millwall and Scunthorpe clash at Wembley for the chance to compete in the Championship next season.
The Lions got through to their first ever play-off final after drawing 1-1 at Elland Road, meaning they beat Leeds 2-1 on aggregate.
Luciano Becchio put the Yorkshire side ahead on the night, before Djimi Abdou levelled the match, and sealed a place in the final for Kenny Jackett’s men.
It could have been much different, however, had Jermaine Beckford put away an earlier penalty instead of allowing goalkeeper David Forde to save easily.
Millwall will be unable to call upon winger James Henry at Wembley as his loan spell from Reading ended after the game in Leeds.
Neil Harris and Gary Alexander are likely to be paired up front again by Jackett, and he will hope they can add to the 19 goals they have got between them this season.
The Irons will be making their second Wembley appearance in the space of two months after losing the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final to Luton in April.
They drew 0-0 with MK Dons at stadium:mk so penalties were required to separate the sides, which Scunthorpe duly won 7-6.
Jude Stirling could have won it earlier in the shoot-out for the Dons, but had his effort saved by Joe Murphy, before Tore Andre Flo missed the decisive attempt.
Nigel Adkins was without Gary Hooper for the semi-final second leg, but Scunny’s top scorer should be available for this match as they attempt to bounce straight back up after last term’s relegation.
The Glanford Park outfit have had a good run of form, having not lost in their last six matches, five of which have been draws.
The recent head-to-head record favours Adkin’s men, having won both of their league encounters with the Bermondsey side this term.
A tense final is in order between two good sides but Scunthorpe appear to have the upper hand, meaning Wembley heartbreak for the Millwall fans.
Verdict: Millwall 1-2 Scunthorpe