Image source, Getty Images

Phew.

What a day.

Boreham Wood booked their place in next Sunday's National League promotion final with an extra-time win at 10-man Carlisle in the early kick-off. Zak Brunt was the Wood hero with the winning goal for the second time in four days after his goal knocked Forest Green out in the eliminator at Meadow Park on Wednesday night.

By the time the final whistle went at Brunton Park, Rochdale were already a goal to the good at home to Scunthorpe.

Devante Rodney's classy second gave them daylight, but the Iron made it another nail-biting finish at the Crown Oil Arena before Dale booked their trip to the capital to go some way to making up for the dramatic finish to their regular season at home to York eight days ago.

Thanks for your company this afternoon, and for all your messages.

We'll be back next Sunday to find out whether Dale or Wood will step up to the EFL.

See you then!

Image source, Getty Images

For the second time in four days, Zak Brunt produced an extra-time winner for Boreham Wood as they booked their place at Wembley in next Sunday's promotion final.

And the midfielder says it was credit to his team-mates about how they could go again in Cumbria to defeat Carlisle after going to the well against Forest Green.

"I'm lost for words really. It's a dream to play at Wembley," he told DAZN.

"It was a case of rest, recover, do whatever you can, play through the pain. There were some tired bodies out there today, but we just never die."

Rochdale's Callum Perry, player of the match, told DAZN: "It was a massive performance, we've worked all week and we did the gameplan perfectly.

"We've heard all week it would be so tough to come back and win but we never doubted it for a minute.

"I've never played at Wembley, what an experience, we know what's at stake, it's a big game."

Dale boss Jimmy McNulty speaking to DAZN: "Amazing, I thought the lads were brilliant.

"I know a lot of people have said it would be difficult to come back after last week but honestly I have seen none of it, I thought the performance was outstanding, we could have scored a lot of goals.

"I thought the personality we played with for the occasion was a sign of our growth.

"I can't credit the players enough for embodying that personality when the occasion is asking for you to be nervous. The players were calm."

On being written off after the late equaliser against York denied them automatic promotion in the 103rd minute last weekend: "We know the wider narrative. It was impossible to pick ourselves up and win, but we never felt that way. You can see it in the confidence of the performance.

"Wembley is the best way for either Rochdale or Boreham Wood to do it, We all want to play there when we were boys."

Steve Torpey
Former Scunthorpe striker on BBC Radio Humberside

I think it has been a really successful season. they have been relatively consistent.

Andy Butler is growing all the time and this should give him confidence.

It has been a real privilege to be able to play a part in it. Success is just around the corner.

Calvin Andrew
Ex-Rochdale forward on BBC Radio Manchester

Rochdale like to do things the hard way and it was a tough last 20 minutes but they got the job done.

A great finish from Devante Rodney for that second goal as well.

Calvin Andrew
Ex-Rochdale forward on BBC Radio Manchester

It is only right to see Rochdale get to the final. It is what they deserve.

It will be another test of the mental capacity of the players and the staff.

Yes, it is a trip to Wembley, but they are there to get the job done.

Steve Torpey
Former Scunthorpe striker on BBC Radio Humberside

It is disappointing to go out but every game they have played in recent games, they have given it a real go.

This is probably just one step too far, against a great Rochdale side.

At 2-0 we lost some belief but we then went direct, got ourselves a goal and it changed the game.

Andy Butler should be really pleased on the job they have done.

Ian Henderson, 41-years-old, who has played nearly 500 games for Dale across two spells with the club, is having pictures taken on the pitch with some children (presumably his).

Memories made in the past eight days will live with Dale players and fans forever, but they have the chance to make some more next Sunday afternoon.

The Dale players are doing a lap of appreciation after their final home game of a record-breaking season at Spotland.

The final game of their 2025-26 campaign will be under the famous arch in north London.

Nice scenes at the end between the players and staff after a ferocious game when no quarter was asked, and none given.

Oh, and no pitch invasions...

Andy Butler's team finished 24 points adrift of Dale in the table but gave them a good run for their money on the day.

Rochdale bounce back from the disappointment of the last-gasp agony against York and have a trip to Wembley to look forward to.

Image source, Getty Images

The memories of 25 April are banished, for now...

Will Evans' own-goal after three minutes gave Dale the perfect start, though they had to wait until after the break for Devante Rodney to stroke home their second.

Iron sub Declan Howe set up a grandstand finale as he poked home after a long clearance kick from Louis Jones late on, but Dale held on to book a Wembley date with Boreham Wood at 3pm next Sunday.

Into the last 60 seconds, officially, though expect a few more added after than stoppage for Ethan Ebanks-Landell.

Manny Dieseruvwe is clattered by Will Evans as he tries to break towards the Scunthorpe box and that earns the Iron defender a caution and wastes some valuable seconds for Dale.

Dale defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell gets a blow to the head under a high ball and ref Jamie O'Connor blows for a stoppage, but not a free-kick, though the Iron players and fans are less than impressed.

There will be SIX minutes of added time.

Less than last week, at least, Dale fans.

Meanwhile, Iron sub Kian Scales picks up a booking for a late challenge in midfield.

Calvin Andrew
Ex-Rochdale forward on BBC Radio Manchester

Rochdale have made this game very uncomfortable and are just trying to run the clock out.

Evergreen Andrew Boyce, 36 years old, is on for Scunthorpe to add some physical presence in the closing stages.

Kitchen sink time.

Steve Torpey
Former Scunthorpe striker on BBC Radio Humberside

Every Rochdale player is behind the ball in the 18-yard box at the minute.

Scunthorpe are putting so much pressure, if they can get the goal it will be huge.