SOUTHEND United will be playing in League One next season after seeing off Wycombe Wanderers on penalties in an incredibly dramatic play-off final at Wembley tonight.

The Shrimpers were seconds away from losing after Daniel Bentley had unfortunately deflected a 25 yard free-kick from Joe Jacobson into his own net during the first half of extra time.

But substitute Joe Pigott fired home an equaliser three minutes into stoppage time before Blues triumphed 7-6 in a sudden death penalty shoot-out.

Pigott, Ryan Leonard, Jack Payne, Michael Timlin, Adam Barrett, Myles Weston and Cian Bolger all netted from the spot from the Shrimpers while Ben Coker saw his effort saved by Alex Lynch.

However, Matt Bloomfield and Sam Wood both saw their efforts saved by Bentley to ensure promotion for the Shrimpers in the most dramatic way possible.

Before the late drama unfolded, the game had earlier got off to an unusual start when Wycombe midfielder Sam Saunders was forced off injured inside the first minute of the match.

He was replaced by Bloomfield and the Chairboys then threatened when Sam Wood’s left wing cross was dangerously chested down inside his own six yard box by Coker but no Wycombe was near enough to make the most of the situation.

Blues soon hit back and won a trio of corners in quick succession, the last of which saw Barry Corr head the ball down into the hands of Chairboys goalkeeper Lynch.

Moments later, another right wing corner from Will Atkinson was headed inches wide of the left post by Bolger and, with 20 minutes on the clock, the centre-back volleyed over from the edge of the penalty area after Coker’s left wing cross was headed out into his path.

Three minutes later, the Shrimpers thought they had taken the lead when Corr headed home a left wing free-kick from David Worrall but the effort was ruled out for a push by Bolger on Nico Yennaris before the ball had reached Corr.

Having survived the scare, Wycombe then also came close to going in front when Jacobson’s left wing cross picked out Paul Hayes but his close range shot was smothered by the well positioned Bentley.

With the Chairboys continuing to attack, Wood then fired inches over from 25 yards to ensure the first half ended goalless.

But Blues threatened at the start of the second period with Stephen McLaughlin delivering a low, left wing cross which Jacobson did well to reach ahead of David Worrall at the far post.

After that the game again died down and, in a bid to become more a threat, the Shrimpers made their first change of the game in the 59th minute with Pigott coming on to replace McLaughlin.

However it was still Wycombe who threatened next as Aaron Holloway rose well to head a left wing corner from Jacobson inches off target before Blues hit back with Corr heading David Worrall’s right wing cross straight at Alex Lynch.

Corr was soon involved again when he appeared to be pushed in the back by Jacobson inside the penalty area when attempting to reach a left wing cross from Timlin but referee Simon Hooper opted to wave play on.

Soon after that, Barrett headed an inswinging left wing cross from Timlin over the crossbar but Wycombe soon replied and came close to opening the scoring, through Hayes, in the 75th minute.

The Wickford based striker burst into the left hand side of the penalty area but saw his shot smartly saved by Bentley low down to his left hand side before Coker was on hand to clear the rebound.

Southend replied with Pigott shooting wide of the left post from long range before Shrimpers boss Phil Brown made his second substitution of the game 11 minutes from time with Myles Weston coming on to replace Atkinson.

But, in the 87th minute, Wycombe almost bagged a late winner when Aaron Pierre saw his close range header superbly tipped over the crossbar by Bentley.

The stunning save forced the tie into extra time and, just a minute into the additional 30 minutes, Hayes headed a right wing cross from Steven Craig over the crossbar.

However, Wycombe were not to be denied for long and they broke the deadlock in fortuitous circumstances with 96 minutes on the clock when a fine, curling 25 yard free-kick from Jacobson struck the underside of the crossbar before hitting the back of Bentley and dropping over the goal-line.

The shell-shocked Shrimpers immediately replied by making their third change of the game with Jack Payne replacing Worrall.

And, deep into stoppage time, Blues netted a late leveller when Weston’s left wing cross was nodded into the path of Pigott who, after controlling the ball, drilled a low, left footed shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The strike sparked wild celebrations among the 20,000 Shrimpers fans who were then left ecstatic after also seeing their side win the penalty shoot-out to secure League One football next season.