Callum Sesay scored deep in extra-time as Salford City secured a thrilling 4-3 aggregate win over Grimsby and reached the League Two play-off final.
Leading 2-1 from the first leg, Salford got a goal from Dan Udoh early in the second half at the Peninsula Stadium.
However, Grimsby hit back with two controversial goals. The first was a header from Kieran Green that appeared to hit Jays Kabia in the arm on his way to goal. On the second goal, the forward appeared to be offside before entering the goal.
However, just when it looked like we were headed for a penalty shootout, Sesay stepped forward to score the most important goal in Salford’s history.
Salford go all the way with roller coaster crash
Salford scored the first goal in the second leg. After a quiet first half, they scored a goal early in the second half, and after the ball fell to Udoh in the corner, he fired a low, strong volley into the back of the goal.
The Amies appeared to be teetering heading into the final, but four minutes later the balance was reversed. And there was serious controversy over both Grimsby goals.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
In the play-off semi-final against Salford, Kieran Green and Jaze Kabia scored fast-break doubles to equalize the score, but both goals were controversial.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Paul Scholes felt elated in the stands as Callum Sesay scored a vital goal to seal Salford City’s place in the play-off final.
The first was Kieran Green’s header from a corner kick, which appeared to clip Jays Kabia’s arm on the way. Kabia finished again for the second goal, but looked to have been offside when he converted Green’s cross.
The game went into overtime, but thanks to Sesay’s performance, there was no penalty shootout. The scorer in the first leg showed his composure again as he scored the most important goal on goal.
Sesay then came forward and scored, finishing with sensational composure. Salford have been aiming to break out of League Two for seven years, but they are just one game away.
Emotional Robinson praises Sesay for tie for victory
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Salford City manager Karl Robinson said he was proud of his team’s dramatic run to the League Two play-off final.
A visibly emotional Salford City manager Karl Robinson was full of praise for Callum Sesay, who overcame recent personal battles to emerge as semi-final hero.
The 23-year-old’s father recently passed away after being out injured for several months in the second half of the season.
“If I could write a script, it would be Callum Sesay’s,” Robinson told Sky Sports. You can see I’m getting emotional.
“He’s been through a lot, the injury, the death of his father and the (recent) funeral.
“I am so grateful to be involved in the sport that I love, but we are all human beings and we all have lives outside of sports and problems outside of sports.
“He came out there today and made everyone proud.”
