FT: Walsall 2-1 Chesterfield (Agg 4-1)
Saddlers reach Wembley after Charlie Lakin and Levi Amantchi strike either side of Armando Dobra's late consolation for Chesterfield
Chesterfield claimed a league-high 28 points in their final 13 matches to take seventh place on the final day of the season but fall short having lost first leg 2-0 at home
League Two play-off final to take place at Wembley on Monday, 26 May
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Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Can Walsall see this out or can Chesterfield get among them?
We've got 9,585 in the Bescot Stadium tonight and I doubt any one of them can still confidently predict the outcome.
Off we go for the second 45...
HT: Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Image source, Rex FeaturesThe EFL play-offs have not disappointed in terms of delivering drama, tension and excitement across the three divisions so far with a little bit of everything.
On Monday Sheffield United completed a 6-0 aggregate win over Bristol City in the Championship with a 3-0 victory at Bramall Lane.
Sunderland will face the Blades at Wembley on Saturday 24 May after their equaliser in injury time of extra time against Coventry on Tuesday secured a 3-2 victory overall on Tuesday.
We had our first penalty shoot-out of the play-offs on Wednesday as Leyton Orient beat Stockport 4-1 on spot-kicks after the League One tie finished 3-3.
It will be a London derby in the final on 25 May after Charlton's Matty Godden netted the only goal of the two legs against Wycombe last night.
Now we just await the line-up of the League Two play-off final to complete what will almost certainly be an exciting Bank Holiday weekend.
HT: Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Lee Turnbull
Former Chesterfield striker on BBC Radio Sheffield
Coming to the Bescot as an away side and being two goals down was always going to be a daunting challenge for Chesterfield.
The Spireites have dominated possession, with 79% possession. To have possession like that is immense for an away side.
So it has been all Chesterfield possession wise but that is understandable because Walsall are very used to sitting in and counter attacking quickly.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Image source, PA MediaGoalless and chances have been at a premium but you sense this is still very much in the balance.
Walsall started well with Jamie Jellis having an effort saved.
Armando Dobra has looked dangerous for the visitors with one shot blocked and another saved while Aribim Pepple has also fired straight at Tommy Simkin.
A decent watch but Walsall are three quarters of the way to Wembley.
Can Chesterfield change the direction of this tie in the second period?
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Paul Fisher
BBC Radio Sheffield commentator
There are some worried supporters around us, as Chesterfield start to get a real grip on the game.
The Walsall fans start to chant, 'come on Walsall'.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Aribim Pepple is making a real nuisance of himself and a loose ball drops to him but he swings rashly at it and scuffs it straight to Tommy Simkin.
Worrying moments for the home side.
We will have at least three more minutes.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Aribim Pepple again gets free but Harry Williams just eases him off the ball.
Pepple goes down theatrically but his acting skills are more Eldorado than Royal Shakespeare Company and it's a goal kick.
Within seconds Pepple is again involved but drags a shot horribly wide.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM commentator
Aribim Pepple is losing it here with the referee and the decision is not going his way.
Tommy Simkin looked like he only ever had eyes for the ball, it was a close one.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Alfie Chang gives away the ball in midfield and Chesterfield send it over the top for Aribim Pepple to run onto.
Tommy Simkin is out of his area to clear and both players collide - it looks a painful one but they're both fine.
Pepple is unhappy he didn't get a free-kick but it looked a straight 50/50 from here.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
A first caution of the evening and it's for time wasting.
Walsall's Nathan Asiimwe is the guilty party - it feels a bit early to be doing that.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Ollie Banks gives the ball away to Liam Gordon who finds Jamie Jellis.
Jellis then delays his shot but gets a second bite at the cherry and fires straight at Ryan Boot.
At the other end Lewis Gordon for Chesterfield (no relation) sends in an inviting cross and Taylor Allen has to put it behind for a corner.
The set piece is again cleared - this is very watchable.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Darren Wrack
Former Walsall midfielder on BBC Radio WM
Chesterfield don't look like scoring or opening Walsall up.
Walsall will be very comfortable and they won't be worried about Chesterfield having the ball, as they will feel as if they won't hurt us - despite a few half chances.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Image source, Rex FeaturesYeah, Armando Dobra is ticking now and some lovely footwork gets him past Alfie Chang and Jamie Jellis but he then over hits a pass to Tom Naylor and it's behind for a goal kick.
Walsall are struggling to get any possession.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Armando Dobra has come to life.
John Fleck finds the former Ipswich man and his shot from 20 yards is safely held by Tommy Simkin.
Chesterfield fans might be getting hopeful now.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Lee Turnbull
Former Chesterfield striker on BBC Radio Sheffield
That was a real opportunity for Chesterfield!
The Spireites are working the ball well left to right, and it is good to see them getting forward and starting to challenge Walsall's net.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Hearts in mouths for Walsall fans as the ball drops invitingly in the 18-yard box for Armando Dobra but the Albanian forward can't get a proper connection and it's blocked.
The loose ball almost falls to Aribim Pepple but Walsall eventually clear.
It's 0-0 on the night but Chesterfield are having the better of things now.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Image source, Rex FeaturesOllie Banks and Jamille Matt are involved in something as we await a Chesterfield corner.
Referee Ben Toner calls over Banks who continues to chirp away so visiting skipper Tom Naylor is also spoken to.
Banks goes back for the corner and exchanges more words with Jamille Matt.
By the way the corner is cleared.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Paul Fisher
BBC Radio Sheffield commentator
Image source, PA MediaThe sunshine gets ever deeper at the Bescot and those in rows A to D can finally watch the game without the need for shades.
However, this could go Chesterfield's way, as away teams are benefiting in the play-offs, with only Sheffield United and Charlton having won their home fixtures.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Chesterfield have a target man to aim towards this evening with Aribim Pepple starting the game and he's certainly putting himself about.
Nathan Asiimwe takes a dislike to a challenge from the Spireites forward but referee Ben Toner just let's the game continue.
Lots more possession for the visitors now but they're yet to create anything.
Walsall 0-0 Chesterfield (2-0 agg)
Ashley Palmer trips Jamie Jellis on the edge of the Chesterfield box - a good chance to get the ball into the area.
Jellis takes it and gets it in....to the Chesterfield fans.
Wasted.
Charlie Lakin came off the bench to score at Walsall beat Chesterfield to reach the League Two play-off final
Walsall beat Chesterfield with a late flourish to secure their place in the League Two play-off final at Wembley.
Jubilant fans entered the pitch after Levi Amantchi scored in added time, moments after Armando Dobra's equaliser, as the Saddlers followed up Sunday's 2-0 victory with a second win over the Spireites in a week.
Substitute Charlie Lakin was set up by fellow sub Albert Adomah just six minutes after the pair came off the bench to give the hosts the lead on the night and open up a three-goal lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Dobra scored a consolation for the visitors in added time, before Amantchi made up for an earlier miss to send the Walsall fans into bedlam with next to no time left.
The restart had to be delayed as supporters came on to the pitch to celebrate, with flares dropped on the turf.
The Saddlers will face the winner of AFC Wimbledon and Notts County, who play on Saturday, in the final on Monday, 26 May.
Lakin's goal put the Saddlers 3-0 up on aggregate
Walsall's decline through 2025 saw them relinquish a 12-point lead at the top of the table and miss out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season.
A run of 13 matches without a win was not the type of form they would have wanted to take into the play-offs but their final day victory at Crewe Alexandra has been followed up by two wins over the Spireites to take them to Wembley on the back of three wins in a row.
An early chance for Jamie Jellis showed the Saddlers were not going to sit on their two-goal lead from the first leg and they looked a constant threat when hitting their visitors on the break.
Jason Metcalfe and Aribim Pepple missed good chances for the visitors and they were made to pay when Lakin headed Walsall into the lead with just nine minutes left on the clock.
Dobra's late equaliser finally broke through the Saddlers' rearguard after more than 180 minutes of play.
But Amantchi, who had earlier missed a glorious chance to put the tie to bed when the hosts were through three on one, headed in Adomah's cross a minute later to send his side to the final.
Walsall head coach Mat Sadler told BBC Radio WM:
"Obviously it's a fantastic evening. [There was] a real outpouring of emotion there with the support, I thought the supporters were unbelievable throughout.
"That togetherness has really shone through tonight.
"I'd urge everyone to enjoy the night who's connected with Walsall Football Club."
Chesterfield assistant manager Danny Webb told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I felt over the two legs the scoreline doesn't lie. It was 4-1 on aggregate, I was disappointed with that so fair play to Walsall, they won fair and square.
"But we just felt there were moments in both games where we could have been better."
Manager: Mat Sadler
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Paul Cook
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Mat Sadler
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Paul Cook
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
League Two
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Walsall have lost just one of their last eight games across all competitions against Chesterfield (W4 D3), scoring 2+ goals in four of their last six fixtures against this opposition.
Chesterfield have won just one of their last six away games across all competitions against Walsall as a Football League side (D1 L4), a 2-1 win at the Bescot Stadium in October 2015 in League One.
Prior to this season, in the history of the EFL play-offs, there’s been 60 instances of a side winning the first leg of their semi-final tie away from home, with 50 of those progressing to the final. Of the 23 occasions that the win has come via a 2+ goal margin, 19 sides have progressed.
After winning four of their first six EFL play-off games between 1990 and 1995 (D1 L1), Chesterfield have since lost each of their last three matches without scoring a goal in the process.
Walsall ended the League Two regular season winless in their last six home league games (D2 L4), after having won 12 of their first 17 home league matches of 2024-25 (D4 L1). Â
Across the regular season in League Two, only three sides scored more away goals than Chesterfield (32), whilst the Spireites also only faced 235 shots in total, the joint second-lowest tally in the division behind Walsall (219).
On home soil, Walsall scored more goals during the League Two regular season than any other side (46). Defensively however, only three sides in the division kept fewer home clean sheets than the Saddlers (5), whilst only four conceded more goals (32).
In the first leg of this semi-final tie, Kyle McFadzean recorded 113 successful passes and 132 touches of the ball, both league-high figures for a Chesterfield player in a match this campaign. His 113 completed passes were only 20 fewer than the whole of Walsall’s team combined (133).
