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First League One playoff finalist confirmed following tense semi final second leg

The first League One playoff finalist has been confirmed following what was a rather tense semi final second leg for both sides.

Going into the game, we knew that a decent spell of action for MK Dons in the first half-hour of Thursday’s first leg at Adams Park was undone when Ryan Tafazolli headed Wycombe in front from Joe Jacobson’s corner and then Sam Vokes doubled the hosts’ lead.

Questioned remained, could Liam Manning’s team be able to turn things around on their own patch, being 2-0 down on aggregate.

Whoever came out victorious in the second leg would have to wait and see with Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday needing to battle it out for the other final spot.

The Black Cats take a 1-0 lead to Hillsborough, where they’ll face off on Monday night at 7:45pm.

So how did that second leg play out?

Just one minute in, MK Dons got an early corner and Harry Darling saw a header loop up and hit the bar.

The first 5 minutes had been a frantic one with the home side looking to get a score on the board early and put pressure on Wycombe.

As it settled down, Wycombe were happy to let the Dons have the ball, especially now that it’s not constantly in and around their penalty area.

Maybe that was something they will live to regret later on in the game, as on the 29th minute, MK Dons scored, getting on back through Irishman Troy Parrott.

Hiram Boateng sent a wonderful ball into the box and Parrott met it with a header which went goalwards.

David Stockdale appears to pull his hands away just as it dropped in with Scott Twine lurking.

On the 55th minute, a moment that got everyone talking saw one hell of a tackle from Wycombe’s Joe Jacobson.

Troy Parrott looked to be through for a certain second goal after a one-two with Twine, but the defender came out of nowhere to block the shot.

Nick Freeman (Wycombe midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio) said: “What a block – I’m speechless, that was an unbelievable block.

“Joe Jacobson had to do it, he threw his body at the ball.”

David Stockdale then produced a brilliant save to deny Theo Corbeanu who unleashed a fierce curling shot at goal only.

After a quiet second half for the Chairboys, they very near got an equaliser on the 70th minute mark with
Dominic Gape smashing the ball from distance only for it to sail wide of the post when everyone thought it would go into the top corner.

5 minutes later, yet another MK Dons corner was headed away and the hosts wanted a spot kick for a handball though there wasn’t much in it and pleas were turned down.

Toby Locke (MK Citizen’s sports editor on BBC Three Counties Radio): “MK Dons haven’t looked like scoring in the last 15 minutes but the pressure’s still been on and that’s what they’re going to be counting on.

“They’ll just be looking to keep Wycombe sewn into their own half and keep asking the question – that’s all they can do.”

We knew that there is no away goals rule, extra time then penalties if scores remained level after 90 minutes.

Off the TV screens, the away supporters right up in the corner were bouncing despite a tense five minutes of normal time remaining.

Wycombe then almost scored just seconds after MK Dons were turned down with another penalty appeal.

Scott Twine’s goalbound effort was blocked with what looked like a Wycombe defender’s hand but again it would have been very harsh.

The referee waved away the appeal, then keeper David Stockdale launched the ball upfield, hoping that Sam Vokes would go on the chase, that he did, but ran through and couldn’t get the shot away.

with second remaining, there was another great run by Theo Corbeanu but Wycombe defended so well all evening to hold on to the aggregate scoreline win.

Troy Parrott sent a fierce drive but it was straight at David Stockdale, Wycombe had a free-kick and the fans waited for that final whistle.

That came, and the celebrations well and truly started, even in the away fans is randomly split apart.

Paul Dixon (BBC Three Counties Radio): “You’ve gotta say fair play and well done to Gareth Ainsworth and David Stockdale who didn’t run to their fans on full-time but shook hands with MK Dons players to commiserate them.”

Wycombe’s Gareth Ainsworth: “It’s a relief! MK Dons were fabulous tonight, they really were. They played, they rotated, but my boys were so resolute it was unbelievable. From back to front they stood up. It was about defending crosses, shots, set-pieces, the boys were fantastic. David had to make some great saves, but all goalkeepers do.

“It’s not good for your health this, I’ll tell you! But the fans were phenomenal, brilliant all game. I’m so proud to be taking Wycombe to Wembley.

“For every fan who never saw a Championship ball kicked, or the play-offs two years ago, get yourself to Wembley because this is the celebration. We’re still little Wycombe, but these boys can achieve anything.”

Twitter users reacted as the first League One playoff finalist was confirmed following a rather tense semi final second leg…

@jordanthomas95: Well done on beating the plastics

@Salop1977: Fuck MK 🙏🏻

@Rob76540279: Well done Wycombe

@sabartram: Well done for beating that lot from us at AFC Wimbledon, good luck in the final.

@jon_adaway: Congratulations @wwfcofficial on reaching Wembley. There couldn’t be a better way for ‘The Beast’ @daRealAkinfenwa to end his brilliant ⚽️ career. Well done Chairboys!

@TommyTh90429067: 👏👏 Back to the championship like you deserve, all the way lads 💪

@Slippy04688529: Thank god you stopped mk dons from being in the champ

@olly_plevin: W for football

@JCinhisworld: Elated but nerves shredded. I need another drink. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Proud

@RobboScout: West ham fan here ,but fair play Wycombe top draw performance that and huge respect to Gareth and the staff for not going over the top in celebration. Class Act 👋

@cole_qpr: franchise fc lose 🥳

@FolleyMartyn: Don’t know how we held on !! – incredibly gutsy performance from Wycombe 👏 👏👌 🙌 😍

@Tagfcuk: I have never enjoyed a game less 🤢. Why do we do this to ourselves.

@greenyyl: Well done @wwfcofficial, always nice to see Milton Keynes fuck it up 🤣

@J_Saunders23: GET IN! So proud of these lads, put their bodies on the line for this club! See everyone at Wembley!

@Sxvxge_C: FUCKING GET INNNNN

@binkybunny7: So chuffed for Wycombe 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #Chairboys

@LewisBP5: What a game by Stockdale. What a block by JJ. What a defensive shift by Vokes. Absolutely incredible effort from everyone! #MKDvWYC #Chairboys

@GeoffBloom3: My nerves are in tatters but well done boys #relieved #wembleybeckons

@TeddyboyQPR: One step closer to justice, them sheep shagging rams back in league 1 and hopefully these boys get the place back that they were robbed of 🙏 #DCFC #Chairboys

@seimon76: I’m not crying you are! Another show of guts from this team. That JJ tackle, hang it in the Louvre. As for the home team banner saying “The club that never died” 🤮 C’MON YOU #Chairboys

@FozzieHere: Stressful and highly emotional aggregate win for my boyhood club @wwfcofficial. Might have shed a tear. @stockogk1313 immense. Team immense.

@LAshworth91: Cant wait to watch Sam Vokes leading a line at Wembley. He has been a workhorse throughout his career & done it all under the radar. Loved by most clubs he has played for & fully deserves his day out at Wembley. Chuffed for him! 👏

@JAGLeMans: Wycombe are made for the play-off’s the way they grind out results. To be fair, so are Latics. But glad we aren’t in ‘em! #wafc

@WalesFootieFans: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👏🏽 Congrats @joe_jacobson & Sam Vokes, Wembley bound…

@Jordan____wafc: Just like that MK are dusted, nervous end to the season for us but job done. #wafc

@doug_jeff: And there was much rejoicing!

@chillysfav: WE’RE GOING TO WEMBLEY 💙💙💙💙 COYW

@bookofmaff: This Akinfenwa send off we’re about to see…

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