Notts County fans taunt Chesterfield fans and Karl Robinson got emotional after his Salford side go through to the playoff final.
Both League Two play-off semi-final second legs played on Friday night, with Kallum Cesay scoring late in extra-time to send Ammies to Wembley. They will play Notts County, who beat Chesterfield 1-0 on aggregate.
Notts County and Salford fans ran onto the pitch after the final whistle, thankfully, at the time of reporting, and having seen footage, just some playful taunts towards players.
However at Meadow Lane, some objects and flares were thrown, one making it towards the away end but fell just short of the Chesterfield fans. Notts County ran over and goaded, Chesterfield wound up, giving it back.
Chesterfield manager Paul Cook said, per BBC Sport:
“First of all, thanks to the supporters – the support they have given us all season has been amazing. I so wanted us to score tonight to give them something to celebrate.
“I couldn’t ask any more of the players tonight. But the whole game epitomised our season. And for me, I just wish Notts County well at Wembley. It’s a tough league and it’s a tough game.
“For us, we lick our wounds a little bit and move on. There hasn’t been a lot between the teams as a rule anyway, so for us we had to make sure that Notts County had to defend tonight.
“I felt they got out of our ground too easy on Sunday and we lost it. But tonight I felt we were the better team and we did the club proud in relation to how we performed, but unfortunately we couldn’t get that goal.”
Cook told Sky Sports, per BBC Sport’s live blog: “It’s so disappointing because I couldn’t ask anything more of the players. I thought we’d get a goal.
“You just congratulate Notts and Martin, let them go and enjoy it. We wish them well.
“We got to 79 points, Bradford went up with 77 last season, Notts beat us by a point, you could see both games were close, there’s small margins in the games. I love the club.”
Cook felt hard done by by refereeing decisions throughout the tie, and while making the admission that his record of going winless in 8 play-off games in his career was ‘horrendous; he said: “I just think the margins are small, everybody can’t win. The criticism managers get isn’t right.”
Notts County head coach Martin Paterson told BBC Radio Nottingham:
“I would have been delighted beforehand with a 0-0, I’m not going to lie about that one.
“The game took a couple of turns. In the first half we had breakaway opportunities and I thought we should have taken them to put the game to bed.
“In the second half we had a golden one, and Jayden will score those in the future. He doesn’t miss many of those.
“I know that Notts County fans are delighted to get to Wembley, and they probably won’t like me saying Chesterfield were good, but I thought they were because when you are chasing something and you have nothing to lose, you can put as many bodies high as you want and you can take risks. And that is what happened in the last 20-odd minutes.
“We had to go into the pain cave, be resolute to defend and what I will say is two clean sheets in those two ties has me delighted with my defensive line – and that is the whole by the way.
“Salford will be another tough team with an experienced manager and a good outfit that will be pushing, like us, for promotion.”
“To take Notts [County] to Wembley is for me and my family a really special moment”
James Belshaw and Jodi Jones react after reaching the League Two play-off final ✅ pic.twitter.com/yVZB8JjbxB
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 15, 2026
Paterson speaking to Sky Sports:
“I thought Chesterfield were unbelievable tonight, different shapes, quality and we really struggled to get a press on to them, they were brilliant. So, we had to suffer, we had to come through those periods and win duels. I had to change shape twice because I just thought they were pulling us apart by almost freedom football because they’re throwing the kitchen sink to get back in it.
“I did think in the first half the game should have been put to bed and then early in the second half we had a chance we should score and the game should be done. But because we didn’t punish them, they got back into it and they were excellent.
“Paul Cook’s been into our dressing room to wish us the best of luck and I thought that was one the classiest acts I’ve seen. As a young head coach, I think you’ve got to pay homage to the ones that have been there, done it and got the t-shirt and say thank you for a fantastic game.
“We’re delighted. There were things in the second half I didn’t like, but I’ll be honest with you, football is about winning and getting to the next round.
“In the past there’s been wilting going on. We didn’t wilt, we stood firm, we worked hard and respected the side of the game that I think is absolutely imperative to do something.”
“If I could write a script, it would be Kallum Cesay” ❤️
An emotional Karl Robinson pays tribute to Salford’s match-winner Cesay after the recent death of his father. pic.twitter.com/1SYdRPd8Zt
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 15, 2026
Here’s the social media reaction while Notts County fans taunt Chesterfield fans and Karl Robinson emotional after Salford go through…
@DangreenGY: Come on County, please do Salford in the final. Gutted to lose to such a tinpot bankrolled club. Only one proper club going to Wembley!
@RedRector: Wembley! A tense, nervy 99′ match, w/ little quality & few chances. No wilting! Hard working. 2 SF clean sheets. Belshaw MoM, calm & a sensational save. Now a chance of getting back to Lg1 v Salford. Joyful! Wheelbarrow song, Que sera, sera on repeat. 17k sellout. COYP! Avanti!
@CheezyNCFC: When are Chesterfield turning up? Didn’t lay a glove on us all game
@OliCCFC: 180 minutes + additional time and not one goal scored, yet we were the form team coming into the play offs. Very disappointing. Let’s hope we get the recruitment right this summer and some of our luxury players actually pull their fingers out
@JT_Spire: Sorry. 190 odd minutes & nowhere near good enough. Gone out with a whimper. If thats as good as we have to offer over two playoff games the squad and coaching staff needs a MASSIVE overhaul this summer. Miles short of the energy, ideas, tempo, chances, and final third execution.
@OliverPierce51: Man Utd. Sheff Weds. Fourth round of the FA Cup. Cambridge. Swindon. So much to be so proud of. Best season in 20years! Gutted – but a brilliant season. UTFM #gtfc
@stunut: We go again, and again. Bring some consistency and this division is ours. Proud of everyone associated with Grimsby Town FC. #gtfc #utm
@KAE1967: See you at Prenton Park next season lads. Let’s see if you sell out the stand then 🤣
@RoloStfc: oh well lads at least you get the “we beat holloway 4-0 trophy” 🤣🤣
@jonnyGTFC: Proud of them all. A great season and just seeing the clowns 🤡 from the other teams on this post shows how much we’ve rattled them all this season and overall ive loved every fucking minute of it, see you next season and UP THE FUCKING MARINERS 🖤🩶🖤🩶
@Cooky87: Proud of the boys , gave everything, let’s build on this next year
see you next season lads 😂 pic.twitter.com/euX81brS5z
— kieran (@KieTrfc) May 15, 2026
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