Summary

  • Mansfield beat Northampton 3-1 on aggregate to reach League Two play-off final

  • McLaughlin goal gives Stags 1-0 second-leg victory

  • Winner will play Port Vale or Swindon in final

  • Vale and Swindon play second leg on Thursday

  • Final at Wembley on Saturday, 28 May

  • Get involved #bbcefl

  1. Bye!published at 22:00 British Summer Time 18 May 2022

    FT: Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    And that's a wrap!

    Mansfield Town, a side that was in the relegation places in October, are into the League Two play-off final.

    The Stags will face either Port Vale of Swindon at Wembley on 28 May for a place in League One next season.

  2. Postpublished at 21:59 British Summer Time 18 May 2022

    FT: Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Steve McLaughlin scoring for MansfieldImage source, PA Media

    You can read all about Mansfield's win tonight by clicking here.

    It's late-night reading for Stags fans to savour. It, however, is not exactly a good bedtime story for Northampton.

  3. Still to come...published at 21:55 British Summer Time 18 May 2022

    FT: Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Mansfield are first to book their League Two play-off final ticket, but who will join them at Wembley?

    Port Vale host Swindon Town in the second leg of the other semi-final tomorrow. The Robins take a 2-1 lead to Vale Park for that one.

    You can follow all the action on the BBC Sport website tomorrow.

  4. 'Wembley win is the story Stags want'published at 21:52 British Summer Time 18 May 2022

    FT: Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Jon D'Laryea
    Former Mansfield Town midfielder on BBC Radio Nottingham

    This is what you come to football to do. You come for these big occasions.

    What players need to do tonight is celebrate it, but know they aren't there yet. It's not the culmination of their season yet.

    Going to Wembley and getting the win there is the story they want.

  5. Postpublished at 21:49 British Summer Time 18 May 2022

    FT: Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

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  6. Postpublished at 21:46 British Summer Time 18 May 2022

    FT: Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Mansfield Town players are still on the pitch, showing their appreciation to the travelling fans.

    There are plenty of hugs, smiles and pats on the back. The Stags fans are lapping it up, singing loudly and drinking in the moment.

  7. Postpublished at 21:43 British Summer Time 18 May 2022

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Stephen McLaughlin's first-half goal was enough to seal Mansfield's victory at Sixfieds and to complete a 3-1 aggregate victory.

    They are now just one win from returning to England's third tier for the first time since 2003.

  8. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:40 British Summer Time 18 May 2022
    Breaking

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Mansfield win and are heading to the League Two play-off final at Wembley!

    Stephen McLaughlinImage source, Rex Features
  9. Postpublished at 90+4

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    We should be into the final minute of injury-time, but after that stoppage I expect a few more to be played.

  10. Postpublished at 90+2

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Play has been paused as a number of Northampton fans have run onto the field.

    A flare has also been let off, so there is also smoke to contend with.

  11. Postpublished at 90+1

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    The first minute is taken up by two Northampton corners.

    Chanka Zimba goes down in the box, but the penalty appeal is waved away. A yellow card for Fraser Horsfall does come out for something the Cobblers defender has said to the referee.

  12. INJURY TIMEpublished at 90 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    There is going to be five minutes of injury time.

    That's plenty for some late drama...

  13. Postpublished at 89 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Just one minute of normal time remains.

    Mansfield's quest to return to England's third tier for the first time since 2003 looks to be heading to Wembley.

  14. YELLOW CARDpublished at 87 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    The referee has been consistent with his yellow card tonight, that much can be said.

    Northampton's Mitchell Pinnock goes in late on Stephen McLaughlin and is booked for his efforts. The challenge was as bad as Wallace's on Eppiah earlier.

  15. Postpublished at 85 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Mansfield look to chew up time with another change.

    Kieran Wallace goes off for Ollie Clarke.

  16. Postpublished at 84 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Mansfield's defence has refused to yield tonight.

    Bodies have been thrown at countless blocks. A succession of corners are now defended by the visitors, who are closing in on a trip to Wembley.

  17. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 82 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Mansfield boss Nigel Clough turns to his bench. On comes George Lapslie for Stephen Quinn.

  18. Postpublished at 81 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Less than 10 minutes remain.

    Northampton have had to settle for trying their luck from distance.

    An effort from Louis Appere, which dribbles through for Nathan Bishop is the best they have mustered this half.

  19. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Northampton substitute Chanka Zimba makes a great run in behind on the right.

    He has time and space to pick his pass in the box, but Kieran Wallace does well to clear for a corner.

  20. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Mansfield (Agg 1-3)

    Mitchell Pinnock does wonderfully well to twist on the right to send an inviting cross into the box.

    Northampton have numbers there to attack it, but so do Mansfield. The Stags suffocate the danger.