EFL play-offs: Wins for Sunderland and Salford in first legs

1. FT: Salford 1-0 Stockport in League Two semi-final first leg
2. Smith bundles in first-half winner to give Salford edge in tie
3. FT: Sunderland 2-1 Luton in Championship semi-final first leg
4. Adebayo gives Hatters lead but Diallo & Hume reply for hosts
5. FT: Bolton 1-1 Barnsley in League One semi-final first leg
6. Tykes lead through Cadden but Charles levels for Wanderers
7. Get involved using #bbcefl

Stephen O'Halloran

Ex-Salford and Stockport defender on BBC Radio Manchester

Salford are back on it now.

A really good free-kick that forced a good save.

CLOSE!

Stevie Mallan's looking lively for Salford right now.

He stands over a free-kick from long range and sends a dipping shot in towards the bottom right-hand corner which draws a diving save from Stockport keeper Ben Hinchliffe.

Salford win a corner which Stevie Mallan plays short to Liam Shephard.

Shephard then whips in a curling ball towards the back post which has too much weight on it but Stockport divert it out for a throw in.

That's sent into the box and Callum Hendry gets on the end of it but his right-footed drive is well blocked.

It's all Stockport so far.

Kyle Knoyle whips in a cross towards the back post into the path of Neill Byrne but he's flagged offside.

YELLOW CARD

Now would be a good time for a Stockport leveller. And they're giving Salford plenty to think about right now.

Elliot Watt goes into the book for the hosts for a shirt pull.

If you're sat checking the score of this game on your phone while you have Eurovision on, let me just say this.

No judgement here. I see you.

Meanwhile, Stevie Mallan tries his luck from long range to try and force Salford's second, but he's off target.

Rex Features

What have Stockport got in response to that Salford goal?

The Hatters finished four points ahead of their rivals this term and carried a fair bit of form into the end-of-season run-in.

You'd think Dave Challinor's side have got something in their locker.

Stephen O'Halloran

Ex-Salford and Stockport defender on BBC Radio Manchester

A good goal but a beautiful cross from Elliot Watt.

It was like an old David Beckham cross, hit first time and curled in toward the back post.

Rex Features

GOAL: Salford 1-0 Stockport

Advantage Ammies.

Salford take the lead against Stockport and it comes via a swinging cross towards the head of Matt Smith.

The Salford man is falling towards ground as it comes in and it appears to come off him but initially looks like a Fraser Horsfall own goal.

HITS THE WOODWORK

It's been all Salford so far but it's Stockport who almost take the lead!

Jack Stretton plays through Connor Lemonheigh-Evans on the counter but Salford keeper Alex Cains saves and then Ryan Croasdale hits the bar.

Getty Images

Conor McAleny looks to find a pathway through towards goal for Salford but some good defending from Akil Wright thwarts his efforts.

It's all Salford in terms of attack but Stockport are holding firm so far.

It's a relatively quiet start so far with few clear cut chances to either side.

Two teams working each other out knowing conceding an early goal could be difficult to come back from.

It's enabling the fans to do a spot of early 'star' gazing too...

Rex Features

There's a break in play as Callum Hendry goes down clutching his head.

The physios come on to give a bit of treatment during this brief intermission before play gets back under way.

In the mean time, former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in attendance.

Stephen O'Halloran

Ex-Salford and Stockport defender on BBC Radio Manchester

Brilliant effort from Adrian Mariappa.

But unfortunately he hit it straight at the keeper.

Nevertheless, it's a good start from Salford City.

Salford win a succession of corners, the latter of which comes after Adrian Mariappa's shot from close range.

But Stockport clear their lines on both occasions.

The hosts have started well, here.

PA Media

Some of the Class of 92 are out tonight to see what is arguably the biggest game in Salford City's history.

Will the Ammies, who qualified for the play-offs despite losing on the final day of the regular season, give their ownership group plenty to cheer about tonight?

KICK-OFF

Right then.

We're under way at the Peninsula Stadium.

The League Two play-offs are under way.

Follow the action across the BBC

Unfortunately we cannot bring you live radio commentary on this page.

But the fine folks at BBC Radio Manchester are in position to take you through all the action at the Peninsula Stadium tonight.

If you're in the Greater Manchester area, grab a radio and tune in.

Team news

Here's how Stockport line up for tonight's first leg.

The Hatters make two changes to their starting line up as Neill Byrne and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans come in for Joe Lewis and Isaac Olaofe.

Stockport: Hinchcliffe, Wright, Horsfall, Byrne, Knoyle, Camps, Croasdale, Hippolyte, Hussey, Stretton, Lemonheigh-Evans.

Subs: Rydel, Olaofe, Jaros, Davenport, Pye, Johnson, Rowe.

Team news

Salford make one change to their XI for the visit of Stockport in tonight's League Two play-off semi-final first leg.

Conor McAleny comes in for the Ammies to replace Louie Barry who drops to the bench.

Salford: Cairns, Shephard, Vassell, Mariappa, Touray, Mallan, Watt, Bolton, Hendry, McAleny, Smith.

Subs: Lund, Bellagambi, Barry, Jenkins, Leak, Morton, McLoughlin.