Timlin helps Southend into finalMichael Timlin might be sporting a headache of a different kind in the morning after firing Southend to Wembley.The Southend midfielder, whose horrific head injury overshadowed the first leg of their Sky Bet League Two play-off semi-final against Stevenage, fittingly scored the goal which secured a 3-1 extra-time victory on Thursday night.A surprise inclusion and wearing Petr Cech-style headgear after needing 15 stitches in a gaping wound above his eye, Timlin played the full 120 minutes and rounded off a courageous display by wrapping up a deserved victory.The Shrimpers had finished 12 points clear of their opponents but still made hard work of booking their trip to Wembley against a dogged Boro side.They fell behind to Tom Pett's close-range strike and, after Ryan Leonard had equalised, Barry Corr blew the chance to send Southend through when he missed a stoppage-time penalty.But substitute Stephen McLaughlin nodded them in front in the 108th minute and Timlin added the gloss to send manager Phil Brown back to the scene of his memorable promotion to the Premier League with Hull seven years ago.Southend dominated the opening half with Boro keeper Chris Day saving from Dave Worrall and Joe Pigott volleying narrowly wide.Corr fashioned a glorious opportunity for himself moments before the interval when his dummy left Dean Wells and Day sat on the ground, but his attempted chip floated wide.Those missed chance came back to haunt Southend 10 minutes into the second half when Pett broke the deadlock.Simon Walton's corner found its way to Dean Parrett on the edge of the area and his shot took a couple of defections before falling at the feet of Pett to slam home.Southend immediately piled forward and Day made fine saves from Cian Bolger and Pigott before Leonard grabbed the equaliser in the 67th minute.McLaughlin crossed from the left and Leonard, unmarked on the right-hand side of the area, smashed a first-time shot past Day and high into the net.Deep into stoppage time referee Graham Scott appeared to hand Southend their ticket to the final when he penalised Parrett for bringing down Leonard in the area.But Corr, who scored Southend's equaliser in the first leg, fluffed his lines this time when his penalty clipped the crossbar.In extra time the Shrimpers found Day in inspired form as he made fine saves to deny McLaughlin, Leonard, Corr and Worrall.But Southend finally found a way past when skipper John White crossed from the right and McLaughlin threw himself at the ball to nod it inside Day's far post.And as the clock ticked down Timlin took advantage of a tiring Stevenage backline to race through and crash in the third as Southend completed a 4-2 aggregate winSource : PA
Source: PA