Peterborough United won the EFL Trophy in 2014 and 2024
Holders Peterborough United booked their place in the EFL Trophy final at Wembley with a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Wrexham at the Stok Racecourse.
Mo Faal's looping strike put Wrexham ahead against the run of play on 34 minutes.
The hosts doubled their lead four minutes later when George Dobson fired home from close range - his first goal since joining the club from Charlton Athletic last summer.
Peterborough gave themselves hope when Malik Mothersille fired home the rebound after having his penalty saved by Arthur Okonkwo in the 72nd minute.
And after Wrexham failed to clear their lines, substitute Bradley Ihionvien fired beyond Okonkwo from close range in the first minute of added time to send the tie to a shootout.
Ihionvien, Ryan de Havilland, Harley Mills and captain Hector Kyprianou all scored from the spot as Jed Steer kept out efforts from Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee to ensure Peterborough sealed a trip to Wembley - where they will meet League One leaders and twice winners Birmingham City on Sunday, 13 April.
Bradley Ihionvien joined Peterborough United from Colchester United in the summer of 2024
Having promised to rotate his squad, Phil Parkinson made eight changes to his starting 11, with only Okonkwo, Max Cleworth and Dobson keeping their places from the 2-1 win at Mansfield Town three days earlier.
Tayo Edun and Sam Hughes were both cup-tied for the visitors which meant Emmanuel Fernandez and Harley Mills started in what were the only two alterations from Peterborough's impressive 1-0 victory at Huddersfield Town.
Current holders Posh - bidding to become the first side to retain the EFL Trophy - enjoyed plenty of possession from the outset and had the game's first chance as Fernandez's tame header from Mills' corner was easily saved.
Okonkwo was then relieved to see Mothersille's shot, deflected by captain Dan Scarr, loop over the crossbar, with Fernandez heading over from the resulting corner as Peterborough grew in confidence following an uneventful opening 25 minutes.
But Wrexham took the lead with their first shot on target as Faal latched on to Cleworth's long ball before looping over Steer for his third goal in the competition this season.
Peterborough looked for an instant response, with Ricky-Jade Jones stinging the palms of Okonkwo before Cian Hayes drilled over the rebound.
But the hosts went 2-0 up shortly after taking the lead as Jacob Mendy's drilled cross found Dobson who lashed into the net from 10 yards out to leave Darren Ferguson's men with an uphill task in the second half.
Despite offering nothing in attack until their quickfire goals, the Wrexham faithful revelled in their opportunity to belt out chants of "Wembley again Olé Olé" as a date with the home of English football felt ever closer.
Ferguson sent on Mahamadou Susoho and Ihionvien in place of Archie Collins and Jones at the break, and Susoho drilled wide from the edge of the box just a minute after the restart.
Mills then curled a free-kick over the crossbar before Mothersille curled wide of the target as the away side pushed for a route back into the contest.
Steer was alert to react quickly at the other end to keep out Lewis Brunt's thumping strike as the goalkeeper ensured his side's deficit remained at just two goals.
Dobson then tested Steer as Parkinson sent on Mullin, Lee and Steven Fletcher for Faal, Dobson and Jack Marriott.
Mullin's first touch was to fire a free-kick - won by lively academy product Harry Ashfield - straight at Steer as Wrexham looked for a third goal to kill off the tie.
Like his father, Sir Alex Ferguson, Darren Ferguson knew all about battling until the end having netted an extra-time goal to help Wrexham win the EFL Trophy at Cardiff's then Millennium Stadium two decades ago.
And his side were handed a lifeline as Okonkwo brought down Hayes in his own box - with Okonkwo saving Mothersille's spot-kick, only for the 21-year-old to prod home the rebound.
Brunt very nearly restored his side's two-goal advantage, although his poked effort from Lee's corner flew inches wide of the post.
Fletcher then blazed well over from a free-kick, but moments later, Ihionvien beat two men in the Wrexham box before drilling home in the 91st minute to send the tie into a shootout.
Having suffered two defeats to Wrexham in League One this season, Peterborough made it third time lucky via spot-kicks to keep their dreams of winning the competition in successive years alive.
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson:
"From a game which looked so comfortable for us, to end up not going to Wembley is very difficult to take for us all.
"But we've got no one else to blame but ourselves.
"We made a lot of changes and te lads did well. We were comfortable, 2-0 up.
"They were two really poor goals to concede. Moments of concentration and seeing the game through, particularly the second one."
Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson:
"It's a fantastic result and a great night for us. Our performance was very good and we at least deserved a draw.
"From nowhere, two lapses of concentration and we're 2-0 down.
"I said at half time to just keep playing the way we are and keep believing.
"You can maybe now see the belief."
