DANIEL Bentley was close to weeping tears of joy just seconds after nearly weeping tears of sorrow following Southend United’s dramatic play-off final victory against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

The Shrimpers shotstopper was left devastated when his unfortunate own goal handed the Chairboys the lead during extra time at Wembley.

But Joe Pigott’s dramatic injury time equaliser, 20 seconds before the final whistle, took the tie to penalties where Bentley superbly saved two spot-kicks to ensure Blues would be playing League One football next season.

“It was an emotional roller-coaster for me,” said Bentley.

“When their goal went in I just couldn’t believe it and to be honest I just wanted to cry when it happened.

“But Pigs (Joe Pigott) got me out jail by scoring when he did which also made me want to cry and so did winning the penalty shoot-out.

“Winning promotion at Wembley with my home-town club is what dreams are made of and I’m just so happy I’ve been able to help it happen.”

Bentley saved spot-kicks from Wycombe’s Matt Bloomfield and Sam Wood.

But his heroics came after a week of not being able to get near his team-mates’ penalties in training.

“I think I had faced about 50 penalties in training and only saved about three, but thankfully I was able to do a bit better when it mattered,” said the Wickford-based 21-year-old.

“I know people say there is no pressure on goalkeepers when it comes to a penalty shoot-out but I don’t agree with that.

“I have an expectation level where I want to be saving the penalties and I’m sure the fans and my team-mates do too so I was desperate to make sure I saved some.”

Bentley, pictured above with skipper John White, did exactly that to become Blues’ match-winning hero.

But the custodian initially had no idea whether or not he had managed to keep out Wood’s penalty which clinched promotion for his side.

“I heard it hit the post but I didn’t really know where it had gone after that,” said the former Bromfords School pupil.

“It was only when I looked up and saw Sam Wood’s reaction with the ball close to his feet that I realised I had saved it.

“It was a great feeling but everything after that was just a blur until I was able to watch it back on television.”

Bentley’s day was made extra special by having more than 50 of his friends and family watching him at Wembley.

And the youngster admitted he would have been there supporting the Shrimpers if he was not playing.

“If I didn’t play for the club then I would still have gone and supported them because they’re my local team and they mean a lot to me,” said Bentley.

“I feel exactly the same way as the supporters do for this club and that makes it extra special to have won promotion.”