Match ends, Rotherham United 2, Scunthorpe United 0.
Rotherham moved to within 90 minutes of an instant return to the Championship as they beat Scunthorpe to reach the League One play-off final at Wembley.
After the first leg finished 2-2, goals from Richard Wood and Will Vaulks at the New York Stadium booked a meeting with Shrewsbury on Sunday, 27 May.
The Millers, relegated last season, went ahead through Wood's smart header.
Vaulks added a second from close range, before Scunthorpe had captain Rory McArdle sent off for two bookings.
The Iron, who also lost in the play-off semi-finals 12 months ago, had threatened to keep the tie alive before McArdle was red carded, with Ivan Toney, Cameron McGeehan and Duane Holmes all spurning good opportunities to cut the deficit.
But Rotherham survived the period of heavy pressure unscathed and were able to see the tie out relatively comfortably up against 10 men for the final 13 minutes.
The final whistle sparked a pitch invasion from the home supporters, who celebrated wildly having just 13 months ago witnessed their side relegated by a home loss to Fulham.
From relegation despair to the brink of promotion
Rotherham were rooted to the foot of the Championship table for more than seven months of 2016-17, spending just 26 days of the entire campaign outside of the bottom three.
Their final tally of 23 points was the lowest a second-tier team had finished on since three points for a win was introduced.
But under manager Paul Warne, appointed shortly after their relegation was confirmed at the beginning of April 2017, the Millers have enjoyed an impressive turnaround.
A run of seven successive wins during January and February had kept their automatic promotion hopes alive but, having faded towards the end of the season, victory over Scunthorpe leaves them one game away from an immediate return to the Championship.
Defeat for Iron but has Daws passed audition?
The 2-0 reverse brought an end to Scunthorpe's season and Nick Daws' tenure as caretaker manager.
However, Iron chairman Peter Swann told BBC Radio Humberside after the game that he hoped the former Bury and Millers midfielder would take the job on a permanent basis and an announcement would be made on Friday.
Daws won four and drew five of his 10 games in charge following Graham Alexander's sacking in March.
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"It's a bit surreal - to be honest, it hasn't sunk in yet.
"I asked the fans for the atmosphere to be electric and I think it adversely affected my lot as I didn't think we started very well, I think we were playing the occasion and not the game, but after the first 20 minutes I think we did well.
"I'm really pleased - but Marek pulled us out of the clunk a few times, he made a few great saves, he was excellent tonight."
Scunthorpe United caretaker manager Nick Daws told BBC Radio Humberside:
"I'm absolutely gutted but really proud. I thought the boys did everything I asked of them.
"The only disappointing bit was that we didn't finish it off and get that first goal because we had them on the ropes and if we'd have scored I think we'd have probably scored again.
"I'm really proud and told the players they should be proud of themselves and showed immense character."
Line-ups
Rotherham
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 13Rodák
- 2Emmanuel
- 20IhiekweSubstituted forAjayiat 52'minutes
- 6Wood
- 3Mattock
- 8Palmer
- 23WilliamsSubstituted forTaylorat 68'minutes
- 17Towell
- 4Vaulks
- 22NewellSubstituted forFordeat 90'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 24Smith
Substitutes
- 5Ajayi
- 7Forde
- 10Ball
- 11Taylor
- 12Price
- 18Purrington
- 31Lavery
Scunthorpe
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 31Watson
- 18Vermijl
- 23McArdleBooked at 77mins
- 5M Wallace
- 3Townsend
- 24YatesSubstituted forHopperat 83'minutes
- 6Ojo
- 16AdelakunSubstituted forMcGeehanat 62'minutes
- 19Holmes
- 11Morris
- 9ToneyBooked at 52minsSubstituted forNovakat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 12Bishop
- 14Hopper
- 17Novak
- 21Burgess
- 22Sutton
- 26McGeehan
- 41Kelsey
- Referee:
- Scott Duncan
- Attendance:
- 11,061
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away6
- Corners
- Home6
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rotherham United 2, Scunthorpe United 0.
Post update
Foul by Cameron McGeehan (Scunthorpe United).
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Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Anthony Forde (Rotherham United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Duane Holmes (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Anthony Forde (Rotherham United).
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Attempt saved. Josh Morris (Scunthorpe United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Funso Ojo (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Will Vaulks (Rotherham United).
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Attempt missed. Cameron McGeehan (Scunthorpe United) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Josh Morris with a cross following a corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Rotherham United. Anthony Forde replaces Joe Newell.
Post update
Corner, Scunthorpe United. Conceded by Richard Wood.
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Attempt missed. Joe Newell (Rotherham United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Will Vaulks.
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Conor Townsend (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jon Taylor (Rotherham United).
Post update
Corner, Scunthorpe United. Conceded by Marek Rodák.
Post update
Attempt saved. Duane Holmes (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Cameron McGeehan.
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Attempt missed. Joe Newell (Rotherham United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Matthew Palmer.
Substitution
Substitution, Scunthorpe United. Tom Hopper replaces Ryan Yates.
Comments
Join the conversation
Some people might criticise football in the lower leagues but it's a thousand times better than that poxy royal wedding the BBC keep banging on about!!!!
Still all the best to Millers in final.
Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley can't appear to work out which division is for them.
... and a laser show too. Impressive!
Leeds haven't 'mattered' for a long time.
Not much quality on show but plenty of effort
Not sure the Rotherham players should be celebrating as much as they are though think Shrewsbury will be inspired by that one way or another.
Agree re football. The P.l. is just a major con trick. Nothing premier about it.
Re the wedding. This is what the BBC was set up for. Brown nosing the windsors.