Rotherham United 2-0 Scunthorpe United: Millers reach Sky Bet League One play-off final at Wembley
Rotherham's hopes of bouncing straight back to the Sky Bet Championship remain intact after they booked their place in the League One play-off final with a 2-0 win over Scunthorpe in the semi-final second leg.
The Millers, relegated from the second tier last year, triumphed 4-2 on aggregate after goals either side of half-time by Richard Wood and Will Vaulks at the New York Stadium.
That sets up a showpiece date at Wembley against Shrewsbury on May 27, with boss Paul Warne coming up against his former Millers team-mate Paul Hurst, the Shrews' manager.
For Scunthorpe, who had Rory McArdle sent off in the second half, it is more play-off heartache as they fall at this stage for the second successive season and they must now decide whether to give caretaker boss Nick Daws the job or look elsewhere.
Who will reach the Sky Bet Championship?
Sky Bet's odds correct at 2200 BST on 16/05/18
Such a routine night for the Millers did not look on the cards as the Iron made a strong start.
They were calm in possession and moved the ball well, but only had Hakeeb Adelakun's low effort, which Marek Rodak saved comfortably, to show for their dominance.
The Millers eventually began to take control and Scunthorpe goalkeer Rory Watson, in for the injured Matt Gilks, made two brilliant saves to keep his side level.
First he did well to palm away Michael Ihiekwe's close-range header and then did even better to brilliantly claw out Richie Towell's curling effort which looked destined for the top corner.
Watson also kept out a low drive from Matt Palmer, but he was picking the ball out of the back of the net in first-half added time.
Vaulks launched a long throw in to the area and Wood climbed highest to nod into the bottom corner to give his side the lead at a perfect time.
Rotherham were oozing confidence after the restart and put one foot on to Wembley Way in the 63rd minute as they went 2-0 up.
A flowing move ended up with Josh Emmanuel on the right-hand side and his low cross ended up at the feet of Vaulks, who found the bottom corner from eight yards.
Scunthorpe found some life and attempted a comeback.
Ivan Toney was denied a goal back by a Joe Mattock block, while substitute Cameron McGeehan missed a golden chance when he somehow headed wide from close range.
Rodak then had to be quick off his line to save from Duane Holmes before Scunthorpe's task became harder when McArdle was dismissed for a second yellow card in the 77th minute.
Still they pressed, though, and Rodak produced a flying save to deny Holmes, his best of the night.
The Millers held firm, though, seeing out seven minutes of added time, sparking mad scenes of celebration.
Post-match reaction
Rotherham boss Paul Warne says getting to Wembley goes some way to repairing the pain of last season.
"It feels a little bit surreal, it hasn't sunk in yet, I am really proud," he said.
"When I go in and see my staff, it will sink in.
"To finish the season with a final at Wembley is something that can't be taken off me.
"I am pleased for a lot of people. It is nice after the 12 months of last year of real suffering.
"At least this year we have given the fans something to be proud of.
"To get to Wembley is pretty amazing, if I don't achieve anything else I have definitely achieved that.
"I am proud of that now. We can just have a real go and hopefully make the town proud."
Scunthorpe caretaker boss Nick Daws revealed he is expecting to be named permanent manager later this week.
Daws took over from Graham Alexander at the end of March and the 2-0 reverse in South Yorkshire was his first loss.
"I think we'll be sitting down on Friday and I will be hopefully confirmed as manager, that is my wish," he said. "We will take it from there, I am proud as anything to take that responsibility.
"There is some information about locally that there are discussions to be had. That pleases me."
Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLife
Related World Cup links
MOST READ FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL TIPS
