Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of today's League One playoff final between Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United at Wembley.
This season's two league matches were both won by the away side, with Huddersfield overcoming United 3-0 at Bramall Lane, while Neill Collins gave Danny Wilson's side all three points against Huddersfield at the Galpharm.
Town will be hoping to end an eight-year stay in League One this afternoon, while United were relegated from the Championship last term. They finished the season in third place in the table, while Simon Grayson's side finished a place lower in fourth.
All eyes are sure to be on the top scorer in England, Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes, who has struck a staggering 40 goals this season.
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So there we have it, Huddersfield stopper Smithies scores the decisive penalty to send the club into the Championship. In truth, there was little excitement in the 120 minutes of football, but the penalty shootout provided such drama with Town eventually winning it 8-7. What an occasion. Our full report of the match can be found here. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action.
17.54: Huddersfield boss Grayson tells Sky Sports News that he is "delighted" to secure promotion.
17.52: Huddersfield stopper Smithies tells Sky Sports News that "it is a dream come true".
HUDDERSFIELD ADVANCE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
HUDDERSFIELD WIN 8-7 ON PENALTIES!
Simonsen (goalkeeper) up for United: MISSES!
Smithies (goalkeeper) up for Huddersfield: SCORES!
Hill up for United: SCORES!
Morrison up for Huddersfield: SCORES!
O'Halloran up for United: SCORES!
Hunt up for Huddersfield: SCORES!
Doyle up for United: SCORES! We are level at 5-5!
Woods up for Huddersfield: SCORES!
Maguire up for United: SCORES!
Roberts up for Huddersfield: SCORES!
We level at 3-3!
Quinn up for United: SCORES!
Rhodes up for Huddersfield: SCORES!
Sudden death!
Porter up for United: SCORES!
Arfield up for Huddersfield: SCORES!
We remain level at 1-1!
Taylor up for United: MISSES!
Clarke up for Huddersfield: SCORES!
As it stands, United lead 1-0!
Lowton up for United: SAVED!
Lee up for Huddersfield: SAVED!
Collins up for United: SCORES!
Johnson up for Huddersfield: MISSES!
Williamson up for United: SAVED!
Miller up first for Huddersfield: SAVED!
17.37: The penalties will be taken in front of the Huddersfield fans.
17.33: It is such a cruel way to end, but the conclusion of this match will be decided by penalties. Stay with us for the action.
The 2012 League One playoff final will be decided by penalties
FULL-TIME AFTER EXTRA TIME: Huddersfield 0-0 Sheffield United
ET 30+1 min: Change for United as Andy Taylor replaces Montgomery.
ET 29 min: Another poor set piece from United as Smithies collects the ball.
ET 28 min: Two minutes remaining at Wembley. We are almost certainly heading for penalties... or are we?
ET 26 min: It comes to nothing, however, as a free kick is given to Town. Change for the Terriers as Novak is replaced by Scott Arfield.
ET 25 min: Corner to United with five minutes remaining.
ET 24 min: Free kick for Williamson in an advanced position, but Smithies collects the ball.
ET 22 min: Chance! So nearly for Huddersfield as Clarke meets a cross inside the box, but his header is cleared off the line by Nick Montgomery.
ET 22 min: Will we have a winner this afternoon? Little over eight minutes to play.
ET 20 min: Chance! So nearly for Lee as he advances into the United box, but Simonsen beats the ball clear.
ET 18 min: Change for United as Michael O'Halloran replaces Flynn.
ET 17 min: Huddersfield on the attack as Hunt whips a cross into the box, but Maguire is on hand to clear the danger. The 19-year-old has been simply brilliant this afternoon.
ET 16 min: Here we go then, 15 minutes of football to play.
HALF-TIME IN EXTRA-TIME: Huddersfield 0-0 Sheffield United
ET 15 min: Chance for Quinn late on as he drives into the box, but Smithies pushes the ball clear.
ET 15 min: Cramp for Clarke in the latter stages of the half. This is the period where the players will really start to feel it.
ET 13 min: Still no real sign of that opening goal, which would surely send one of these teams to the Championship.
ET 11 min: Chance for United as Quinn finds Flynn with a clever free kick, but the danger is cleared.
ET 9 min: Change for Huddersfield as Alan Lee replaces Ward.
ET 8 min: Really nice work from United as Quinn strikes inside the box, but Clarke throws his body at the ball to block.
ET 7 min: United are beginning to enjoy some possession as the half advances, with both sets of players really feeling the heat.
ET 5 min: It's brilliant play from Quinn as he searches out Porter in the area, but Woods just deflects the ball wide.
ET 3 min: The extra period has begun much the same as the match finished, with Huddersfield forcing the issue.
ET 1 min: We are underway in extra time. Will we get a winner, or is it going all the way to penalties?
We will play extra-time after 90 minutes of football could not separate Huddersfield and Sheffield United. The Terriers certainly had the better of the second period, and struck the crossbar via Ward, before Clarke so nearly won it late on with a bullet header. Stay with us for the conclusion of this fascinating encounter.
End of 90 minutes: Huddersfield 0-0 Sheffield United (Extra time to be played)
90+1 min: It's still all Huddersfield in the final moments of play, but they just cannot force the ball over the line.
90 min: We will play an additional two minutes at the end of the match. Will we have a winner? If so, it looks like Huddersfield will grab it.
89 min: It's Huddersfield who are really on top in the final stages, with Rhodes and Novak both involved.
87 min: There's a lot of tired players out there, and this is just the stage of the match where mistakes can happen.
86 min: Chance for United as Porter attempts to find the back post with a header, but it just drifts wide.
85 min: Change for United as Chris Porter replaces Cresswell.
84 min: Suddenly it's all Huddersfield as Rhodes just heads wide of the post.
83 min: Chance! Best opening of the match as Clarke looks certain to find the back of the net with a header, only to be denied by Simonsen, before Doyle clears Novak's effort off the line.
83 min: Chance for Rhodes to collect possession after a long ball from Johnson, but Maguire comes across to clear the danger.
81 min: Another long ball drifts out of play for a United goal kick. Rhodes hasn't had a kick so far this afternoon, which probably means he will score the winner in the final minute.
80 min: Another break in play allows both teams to gain some instructions and much needed rest.
79 min: First change of the match for Huddersfield as Gary Roberts is introduced in place of Higginbotham.
78 min: You just can't see where a goal is coming from with little over 10 minutes remaining and both sides relinquishing possession.
77 min: Wonderful opening for United as Lowton finds Quinn on the edge of the box, but he just drags his shot wide when he might have done better.
75 min: So nearly a link-up between Novak and Rhodes on the edge of the box, but Neill Collins clears the danger.
73 min: It's poor from Damien Johnson as he plays a Hunt throw-in straight out for a United throw. Still no sign of any substitutes for either side.
71 min: We are still waiting for our first shot on target with 71 minutes on the clock. You just get the feeling that the first could prove decisive, as Quinn fires wide from inside the box.
69 min: Chance for Huddersfield as they advance straight down the other end, but Higginbotham's effort drifts horribly wide when he might have done better.
68 min: Good work from Flynn as he gains yet another corner for United, but Town's defence remains strong to clear the danger.
66 min: Penalty shout for Huddersfield as Higginbotham crosses into the body of Hill, but the referee waves play on. Grayson's men force a corner, but a free kick is handed to United.
64 min: Little more than 25 minutes remaining of normal time in this match. Are we heading for an additional 30 minutes? It certainly looks that way. The tempo has been raised in the second period, but we remain 0-0.
62 min: First yellow card of the match goes to Higginbotham as he challenges Lowton. The quality of the set piece is lacking once more, however, and the danger is cleared.
60 min: Might have fallen for Ward inside the United box, but Lowton heads behind for a corner, before Clarke heads wide.
59 min: It's really good work from Cresswell as he buys his team a corner, but once more, Clarke heads the danger clear. How good has he been today?
58 min: Chance for Huddersfield in an advanced area as Rhodes is felled by Hill, but Ward's cross drifts straight out of play.
57 min: Looks like Williamson could have a problem for United as he holds his hamstring. We will keep an eye on the winger.
55 min: Chance for Matthew Lowton to send United into the lead as he meets a Quinn corner, but he heads just wide of the post.
53 min: Both sets of fans are beginning to find their voice as they desperately attempt to drive their team into the lead. It's another attack from United as Flynn whips a dangerous cross into the box, but once more Clarke heads clear.
52 min: Much better start to the second half, as both sides look to move ahead in the match.
51 min: It's nice work from Flynn as he buys a corner from Tommy Miller, but Clarke is on hand to clear the danger.
49 min: Chance for the players to take on more fluid during that stoppage, and boy do they need it, it's some temperature inside Wembley today.
48 min: Let's hope that effort from Ward sets the tone for the second period. There is a stoppage in play, however, as Morrison clashes heads with Quinn.
47 min: Chance! Best opportunity of the match as Ward collects the ball on the edge of the box, but his effort smashes off the crossbar. So nearly the opener for Huddersfield.
46 min: We are underway in the second period. Former Sheffield United striker Tony Agana has tweeted: "Crosses please. Their keeper has stage-fright!!" Will Wilson's men attempt to unnerve Smithies in the next 45 minutes of football?
So we remain level at 0-0 after 45 minutes of League One playoff football at Wembley. Sheffield United have arguably been the better team in the opening half, but neither side has registered a single strike on goal. We haven't seen much of the Terriers as an attacking threat, and you just get the feeling that this will be decided by either a mistake, or a moment of brilliance. Our report of the opening half can be found here.
HALF-TIME: Huddersfield 0-0 Sheffield United
45+1 min: It comes to nothing, however, as Woods clears the danger.
45 min: We will play an additional one minute at the end of the half, as United force a corner on the stroke of the interval.
44 min: One minute plus stoppage time remaining, as Hunt whips a cross out of play for Town.
42 min: The match has just settled as we approach the interval, with United currently occupying possession of the ball.
40 min: No shots on target for either side thus far in an extremely tight half of football.
39 min: Half a chance for Huddersfield as Simonsen flaps at a cross inside the box, but the danger is cleared. Little over five minutes remaining of the opening half.
38 min: It's not a good challenge from Flynn who catches Hunt, but the referee keeps his cards in his pocket and play is resumed.
37 min: Another chance for United as Hill unleashes a terrific drive towards goal, but Clarke prevents what seemed to be a certain goal.
35 min: It's nervy from Smithies as he comes to collect a Ryan Flynn cross, but he drops the ball inside the area. Luckily for him, Clarke is on hand to clear the danger.
34 min: United boss Wilson is looking increasingly frustrated on the side of the pitch, but his side have arguably been the better team thus far.
32 min: United still applying pressure and there was a shout for a penalty as Cresswell tumbled in the area, but the referee waved away the calls.
30 min: It's nice work from Ward who searches out Rhodes in the box, but United advance straight down the other end in the shape of Cresswell, although the ball is cleared.
29 min: United continue to look the most likely with Williamson and Quinn both involved, but the Huddersfield defence remains strong.
27 min: We haven't seen much from Danny Ward thus far, and he has been so impressive for Grayson's side in recent months. It's United with the ball as we approach the 30-minute mark.
26 min: Chance for both sets of players to take on some fluids on this scorching afternoon.
24 min: It's more nervy defending from Town with Cresswell lurking in advanced areas. There's a lot of big powerful figures out there this afternoon.
23 min: It's nice work from Quinn to draw a foul in the opposing half. He is United's clear threat, and don't Huddersfield know it.
22 min: Chance for Huddersfield to exert some attacking pressure as Hunt forces a throw-in, but once more it's good defending from United in the shape of Matt Hill.
20 min: Free kick for United in a dangerous position, but Smithies does really well to come and collect the ball. Nice stuff from the young stopper there, that will give him plenty of confidence after a nervy opening.
19 min: Another chance for United as Lee Williamson drives into the box, but it just wouldn't fall for Cresswell, who is giving Clarke all sorts of problems in the early stages.
17 min: Chance! Opportunity for United to take the lead as Quinn finds Cresswell in the box, but Smithies just gets there first to deny the striker a clear header.
17 min: More good work from Woods down the left as he attempts to find Rhodes in the box, but United defender Harry Maguire clears the danger.
15 min: No real chances for either side in the opening 15 minutes of play. You just get the feeling that it is going to be that sort of game.
13 min: Huddersfield begin to flex their muscles, however, with Novak and Rhodes both looking dangerous on the break.
11 min: Chance for United as Cresswell is found in the area, but Peter Clarke clears the danger. Wilson's men again come close as Stephen Quinn searches out Cresswell in the box, and Smithies is unconvincing in his work. First real spell of pressure for the Blades.
9 min: It's really nice work from Jack Hunt who advances down the right, but Higginbotham's subsequent shot moves wide of the post.
8 min: First corner of the match falls to Huddersfield with Woods involved once more, but Sean Morrison's header is cleared for another corner, which Steve Simonsen punches clear.
6 min: It's Huddersfield who advance forward as Callum Woods drives into a wide area, but the United defence remains strong to clear the danger. It's all been a bit scrappy thus far, as expected.
4 min: First foul of the afternoon as Lee Novak catches Michael Doyle with a late challenge. Nothing really in it, however, and United restart the play.
3 min: Neither team has settled yet in the early stages of the match, with possession being shared between the two.
2 min: Quick start this afternoon with tackles flying in from both sides. It's United who have possession inside the opposing half.
1 min: Scorching weather inside Wembley as United get us underway.
14.58: The niceties are over, we are ready for the start. What an occasion we have on our hands.
14.56: The handshakes are underway, as the players line up in this wonderful stadium for the national anthem.
14.54: The players are emerging onto the pitch, it would be fair to say that there are nerves in the air.
14.53: Our referee this afternoon is Roger East, let's hope we are discussing the football come the end of play, and not his performance.
14.51: United have remarkably never been promoted via the playoffs, and have failed to score in their previous three finals.
14.50: The stadium is thankfully beginning to fill up after traffic concerns on the M1. We are just 10 minutes away from that whistle.
14.46: A word from Leeds United boss Neil Warnock, who told BBC Radio Sheffield: "I would say Huddersfield are the slight favourites because of Jordan Rhodes. Both teams are very solid, capable at the back, do well in midfield, not bad on the flanks. I just feel that area of threat from Rhodes, who can score out of nothing, is vital. You can be outplayed and then 1-0 up."
14.45: It is understood that there are scouts in attendance this afternoon to watch a certain Mr. Rhodes. Surely the striker will be plying his trade at a higher level next season - whether that is with Huddersfield remains to be seen.
14.40: Bennett, on BBC Radio Leeds: "It's disappointing to be ruled out but you've got to do yourself and the team justice. I tried it out on Thursday and felt it wasn't going to be right so I made the decision alongside Simon Grayson on Friday that I wouldn't be right. It was a hard decision but the right decision."
14.35: Just 25 minutes to kickoff this afternoon. What a boost it is for United to have Cresswell available. While it is a big day for young Town stopper Alex Smithies who replaces the injured veteran Ian Bennett between the sticks.
14.25: The team news is in, Rhodes is partnered in attack by Lee Novak for Town, while Kallum Higginbotham is given a role in midfield after impressing in the semi-finals. For United, the big news is that Richard Cresswell comes back into the team after recovering from a series of injuries. Full team news can be found here.
14.15: Former Sheffield United striker Brian Deane has tweeted: "I just want to wish all Blades travelling and the team the very best. COME ONNN!!!!"
14.12: Sheffield United fans outside Wembley admit that they are "nervous" ahead of the encounter. While it is understood that delays on the road have caused havoc with fans travelling to the match.
14.10: We will bring you the team news as soon as it is released. What a glorious afternoon we have in London, let's hope the football matches the weather.
Matt Law
