SOUTHEND United surged through to the final of the League Two play-offs at Wembley after a dramatic 3-1 victory against Stevenage at Roots Hall tonight.

In an evening of more twists and turns than a day spent at a theme park, the Shrimpers fought back from a goal down to come out on top in extra time, thanks to goals from Ryan Leonard, Stephen McLaughlin and Michael Timlin.

But the victory could have been far more simple had Barry Corr not fired a penalty against the crossbar with the final kick of normal time.

Before the late drama unfolded however, Blues came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute when an angled low drive from the left hand side by David Worrall was blocked by the legs of visiting goalkeeper Chris Day.

Moments later, another effort from the left flank, this time from full-back Ben Coker was smartly smothered by Day before the recalled Joe Pigott sent an 18 yard shot inches wide of the left post.

In reply, Stevenage’s Ben Kennedy then burst into the box before firing wide of the left post from a narrow angle before the Shrimpers were soon back on top with Worrall’s cross-shot from the right hand side flying across the face of goal.

But, in the 41st minute, Blues wasted a clear cut chance to score, with top scorer Corr the culprit.

The Irishman was picked out by a pass from Pigott in the right hand side of the penalty area but, after cutting back inside and opening up more of an angle, Corr chipped his effort wide of the right post from 10 yards when he should have done better as the first half ended without a goal.

However, 10 minutes into the second half, Stevenage went in front with substitute Tom Pett on target.

Pett, who had replaced the injured Chris Whelpdale four minutes before half-time, reacted sharply at the back post to fire home from close range after Dean Parrett’s low shot from 20 yards took a double deflection before rolling invitingly into the path of the midfielder.

The Shrimpers almost got back into the game six minutes later when a low, left footed shot from Cian Bolger was impressively saved by Day who saw the 16 yard shot late after it flew past a series of bodies inside the box.

Moments later, Blues were again left feeling frustrated when Pigott went to ground in the penalty area and referee Graham Scott waved away the appeals for a spot-kick.

In a further bid to get back into the game, Shrimpers boss Phil Brown made his first substitution of the night in the 63rd minute with McLaughlin replacing Will Atkinson on the left flank.

After the alteration, Southend again went close to scoring when Pigott saw his effort well saved by Day but the home-side were not to be denied and they drew back level in the 67th minute, with Leonard on target for the fifth time this season.

The energetic midfielder charged forward unmarked at the far post and, after collecting a calm square pass from McLaughlin, he thundered a rising 12 yard shot into the roof of the net.

After Leonard’s effort the game soon became quite even again but, with 78 minutes on the clock, Blues’ left-back Coker fired over the South Stand crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

With five remaining, Pigott sent a snap shot wide of the left post after an inswinging left-wing corner from McLaughlin but deep into stoppage time the Shrimpers wasted a golden chance to win the tie, when Leonard was brought down by Parrett in the box and, this time, the referee did point to the point.

But, with virtually the last kick of the game, Corr opted to chip his penalty and could only look on with horror as it struck the top of the crossbar on its way over the goal, meaning the tie went into extra time.

Bidding to make amends, Corr headed a left wing cross from McLaughlin wide of the left post before McLaughlin wasted a far clearer chance to score in the 97th minute.

The on loan Nottingham Forest was picked out by Corr’s through ball but, with just Day left to beat, the winger saw his effort comfortably saved by the keeper.

After the wasted opportunity, Southend continued to attack with Corr having a low, 18 yard shot fortuitously kicked wide of the right post by the legs of Day before a deflected effort from Leonard flew just inches over the crossbar.

Moments later, Corr wasted another fine chance to score when he scuffed a close range shot straight at Day who then also collected David Worrall’s effort from the resulting rebound.

In an attempt to finally convert another their chances, Blues made their second substitution in half time of extra time with Myles Weston coming on to replace Pigott.

And, in the 109th minute, the Shrimpers finally made their pressure count with McLaughlin the man on target.

The winger was superbly picked out by an inswinging right wing cross from John White and made no mistake with a firm, six yard header which flew into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Soon after, Southend came close to extending their lead when Weston sped forward and beat the on-rushing Day to a long ball forward, only for his effort to roll agonisingly wide of the left post.

With Blues looking to hang onto their lead, Gary Deegan replaced Worrall in the 123rd minute but, after a spell of solid defending, the hosts looked to extend their lead with Corr shooting inches wide of the right post.

But, with just seconds remaining, the Shrimpers made sure of their place at Wembley, with Timlin sending a stunning 20 yard shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net to send Roots Hall wild.

Southend United (4-4-2): Bentley, White, Bolger, Barrett, Coker, Worrall (Deegan 123), Leonard, Timlin, Atkinson (McLaughlin 63), Corr, Pigott (Weston 106)

Subs not used: T Smith, Prosser, Cassidy & Payne

Stevenage (4-4-2): Day, Bond, Wells, Lee (Deacon 82), Okimo, Whelpdale (Pett 41), Walton, Parrett, Martin (Henry 69), Kennedy, Beardsley

Subs not used: Beasant, Ashton, Zola, Conlon & Deacon