Summary

  • Blackpool promoted to League One

  • Mark Cullen netted Blackpool's winner from close range

  • Brad Potts scored in third minute for Blackpool

  • David Wheeler equalised for Exeter before half-time

  1. Sympathy for Aldredpublished at 37 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    James Law
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    The expression on the face of Blackpool captain Tom Aldred as he trudged off is a sight no true football fan wants to see.

    The defender looked on the verge of tears as injury forced him off.

    We've had a couple of water breaks already at Wembley, with both managers taking the chance to talk tactics and gesticulate frantically to their players.

    Could a nugget from one of the gaffers make all the difference?

    Tom AldredImage source, Rex Features
  2. Postpublished at 35 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    An Exeter half-chance as the ball goes into the box looking for Joel Grant this time, who heads wide.

    No team truly dominant. Still a game in the balance.

  3. Postpublished at 34 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    A rare raid in the Exeter half for Blackpool and they force a corner. Exeter tried to play their way out of trouble and Brad Potts and Neil Danns created the opportunity.

  4. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 31 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Bright Osayi-Samuel comes on for the stricken Tom Aldred as Blackpool shift from 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2.

    Early tweaks for Gary Bowyer.

  5. Postpublished at 30 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Tom AldredImage source, PA

    As Tom Aldred limps off for treatment and possibly for the rest of the game, it's hard to tell whether it's tears of physical pain or the emotion of missing such a crucial match.

    Meanwhile, little sentiment from Exeter who attack their 10-man opponents but Colin Daniel does well to mop up at the back.

  6. Postpublished at 27 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Gary BowyerImage source, PA

    Gary Bowyer might be a little concerned that Exeter are growing into the game rather strongly right now.

    His Blackpool team are being forced deeper and deeper at the moment, and Exeter are in control of the ball.

    There's concern over Blackpool skipper Tom Aldred who might make way, as he goes down for a second time in the game.

    His battle with Ollie Watkins was turning out to be a tasty one.

  7. Postpublished at 23 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Blackpool v ExeterImage source, PA

    What happened to the advice from managers, which I always remember from Sunday kids football, about not passing the ball across the back four!? Blackpool dicing with danger there but clear their lines...

    Exeter dominating possession now but can't find a way through to goal, Lloyd James smashing well wide from 18 yards as the move comes to an end.

  8. Postpublished at 20 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Exeter have probably shaded the past five minutes or so. David Wheeler is an outlet on the right with those diagonal balls seeking a knock-down for Ollie Watkins.

    However, Blackpool in front where it matters and defensively sound.

    Just the kind of match-up we wanted.

  9. Postpublished at 18 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    End to end!

    Exeter go close as Joel Grant teed up a shot which was well blocked, and then Blackpool went the length of the field on the break, winning a free-kick 20 yards out... Danger.

  10. Cullen destined for greater thingspublished at 17 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    James Law
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    Brad Potts' name will go against that goal, and it was a tidy finish, but in reality that was all about Mark Cullen's sumptuous first touch and flick into his path.

    With the season he's had and the hat-trick in the semi-final, I suspect Cullen might play at a higher level next season regardless of today's result.

    Remember, history favours Blackpool too - they've won four play-off finals, no team has won more, and in four of the past seven seasons, the side finishing seventh in League Two has won promotion.

    Blackpool scoreImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 15 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Enjoyable first 15 minutes, if you're a neutral.

    Really open game on an expansive pitch. Plenty of messages being passed around as Tom Aldred receives treatment.

  12. 'A wonderful save'published at 15 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Steve Claridge
    Ex-Leicester striker, BBC Radio 5 live at Wembley

    That's brilliant goalkeeping.

    Ollie Watkins knows exactly what David Wheeler's going to do, gets on to it and it's an instant turn and shot.

    It's a wonderful, wonderful save from Sam Slocombe.

  13. Postpublished at 14 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Some desperate defence to stop Ollie Watkins, who turned and faced goal with a menacing run that Blackpool just about held out in the end.

    He's a silky player, ably assisted out wide by David Wheeler and Joel Grant this afternoon.

  14. Postpublished at 11 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Exeter happy to push the ball around on the big pitch at Wembley, no need for panic from them just yet.

    Suddenly they hit top gear and the ball goes into the EFL young player of the year Ollie Watkins, whose shot on the swivel is well denied by Sam Slocombe.

    Warning shot there from the Grecians!

  15. Postpublished at 8 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Blackpool moving the ball with purpose at the moment. Brad Potts is a great deep-lying late-runner, and Mark Cullen has done a great job at holding it up.

    Corner here for the Tangerines... Exeter do just enough to stem the flow for now.

  16. Postpublished at 6 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Danger at the other end almost immediately after the goal from Blackpool as Exeter rally but it comes to nothing.

    Gary Bowyer looks calm and composed but surely he will be beaming inside.

    If there's one thing the semi-finals taught us, it's that it's not over yet by a long shot.

  17. 'A bobbler of a finish'published at 4 mins

    Blackpool 1-0 Exeter

    Steve Claridge
    Ex-Leicester striker, BBC Radio 5 live at Wembley

    It's a brilliant goal.

    It's a wonderful touch first time from Cullen, a little touch to keep hold of it and then a flick inside.

    It's a little bit of a bobbler of a finish, but it's more about the direction than the power.

    Brad PottsImage source, Rex Features
  18. goal

    GOAL - Blackpool 1-0 Exeterpublished at 3 mins

    Brad Potts

    Brad Potts scoresImage source, Rex Features

    After a couple of half-chances forged by Blackpool, they make a breakthrough when Mark Cullen holds the ball up nicely on the edge of the box and tucks it back to the onrushing Brad Potts, who finds the corner from 20 yards.

    Early strike for the Seasiders!

  19. Listen livepublished at 1 mins

    Blackpool 0-0 Exeter

    You can follow full commentary of the game right here with BBC Radio 5 live on this page by clicking the audio icon above.

  20. KICK-OFFpublished at 0 mins

    Blackpool 0-0 Exeter

    Not a pindrop could be heard as that silence was immaculately observed. Genuinely poignant.

    Huddles are taken, and a last few inspirational words between the teams.

    Referee Darren England toots heartily on his whistle and the 2016-17 EFL League Two play-off final is under way.

    The usual roar greets the kick-off, and we are off. Exeter kick off.