Ex-Saddler the hero in Play-off semi finals - match report

The 90 minutes of the second leg finished level after extra-time, meaning spot-kicks were needed to decide the tie.

Cliff Byrne blasted his effort high and Matty Sparrow saw his come back off the woodwork, but both times Joe Murphy saved the following penalty from the Dons to restore parity.

And United were handed the victory when Tore Andre Flo, the former Norway international, missed his kick to finally end a marathon tie that never looked like ending.

Roberto Di Matteo's side would have gone through had Jude Stirling scored the sixth penalty following Sparrow's miss.

It means a second Wembley final for the Iron this year as they take on the Lions next Sunday. They lost 3-2 to Luton Town in the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

The game had been an enthralling one, but again the teams could not be separated with the game going into extra-time and then the dreaded shoot-out.

Chances were at a premium in the first half as neither side really threatened.

Garry Thompson looked like putting the visitors ahead early on when clean through on goal, but the long legs of Miguel Llera made a glorious tackle that prevented him from tucking home.

But when the Dons first strike on target did come it was the best of the half as Sam Baldock broke away from the challenge of Liam Trotter and hit a rasping 25-yard effort that was palmed out by Murphy, the rebound fell to Aaron Wilbraham but he poorly hit past the post under pressure.

The opening period of the second-half saw the home side pile on the pressure. However, the visitors did almost take the lead when Llera's back header was short and Paul Hayes nipped in only for him to put the post.

Jason Puncheon had an indirect free-kick from 10 yards deflected past a post, after a very harsh backpass decision against Ian Morris. In the last bit of action of the 90 minutes Wilbraham headed wide from just six yards.

So into extra-time the game went with the proceedings getting ever nervier. Little happened in the first period though, as neither team went for the jugular.

The second saw Scunthorpe take things by the scruff of the neck and go for the win. With four minutes left Dons' hearts were almost broken as David Mirfin hit a post from close range.

The game went to penalties with both teams scoring four times. In sudden death the Dons looked to be on the brink of victory when Sparrow missed, only for Stirling's shot to be saved by the excellent Murphy.

Both teams resumed scoring duties until the ninth kick, when Morris netted and then former Chelsea striker Flo rattled the bar.