League Two play-offs: Salford City and Notts County set to meet at Wembley

Salford City and Notts County will meet at Wembley in the League Two play-off final after coming through the semi-finals to keep alive their promotion dreams.

The Ammies edged past Grimsby Town 4-3 on aggregate after extra time, with Kallum Cesay’s late winner finally settling a breathless contest at the Peninsula Stadium, while the Magpies dug in for a tense goalless draw against Chesterfield, their narrow first-leg advantage enough to see them through.

For Salford, backed by the Class of ’92 ownership group, victory would offer the chance to reach League One for the first time in the club’s history, while Notts County are bidding to continue their resurgence by returning to the third tier for the first time since 2015.

Here is a reminder of how both sides booked their place in the final across the two semi-final second legs…

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Salford City 2-2 Grimsby Town (4-3 on aggregate)

Cesay secured Salford a first-ever EFL play-off final appearance as he scored a dramatic extra-time equaliser to earn the Ammies a 2-2 draw and 4-3 aggregate League Two semi-final victory over Grimsby.

Hero Cesay struck in the 117th minute after the Mariners overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit with two second-half goals in four minutes to force extra-time.

Karl Robinson’s side have never played in English football’s third tier but victory over Notts County at Wembley on May 25 will cement an historic promotion.

Striker Daniel Udoh looked to have eased Salford to a third trip to the national stadium and first since beating Portsmouth in the 2021 EFL Trophy final.

Eight minutes into the second half, the former Shrewsbury Town striker notched his 11th goal of the season with a low right-footed shot.

But Grimsby gave themselves hope when Kieran Green headed them level on the night after 74 minutes.

The Town skipper then set up substitute Jaze Kabia to make it 2-1 for the visitors, despite a suspicion of offside.

However, Salford had the last word and Cesay, who scored the opening goal in the first leg, netted an even more important goal to send his side to Wembley.

Notts County 0-0 Chesterfield (1-0 on aggregate)

Notts County secured their place in the League Two play-off final after a 0-0 draw with Chesterfield at Meadow Lane saw them go through 1-0 on aggregate.

Chesterfield, trailing to Jayden Luker’s goal in a 1-0 win for County in the first-leg, made the stronger start, with James Berry curling wide early on.

Berry, the on-loan Wycombe Wanderers winger, then saw a free-kick deflected behind before Scott Robertson fired County’s’ first reply at goalkeeper Ryan Boot from distance.

Berry had two more goal attempts at the other end before a controversial incident involving Ollie Norburn occurred shortly before half-time.

The County midfielder went in high on Ryan Stirk, who had to be substituted. Referee Thomas Parsons took no action however.

Luker, on loan from Luton Town, fired a great chance over at the back post four minutes into the second period.

Chesterfield were denied by James Belshaw’s fine save in the 54th minute after Dilan Markanday had burst through on the right of the box.

Referee Parsons also had to go off injured near the end as County defended deep to repel a barrage of Chesterfield attacks.

League Two play-off semi-final aggregate scores

Salford City 4-3 Grimsby Town
Notts County 1-0 Chesterfield

Play-off final

Notts County vs Salford City – Wembley Stadium, Sunday May 25, 3pm

READ MORE: League Two play-offs: Salford City fight back as Notts County take first-leg lead