National League roundup: Rochdale set to face off against Boreham Wood in play-off final

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Rochdale will face Boreham Wood in the National League play-off final after putting the disappointment of missing out on the title behind them by defeating Scunthorpe United.

Dale, who were denied automatic promotion on the final day of the regular season against York City, secured their Wembley place at the weekend.

They will contest for a spot in the EFL against the Wood, who denied Carlisle United the chance to seal their return to the Football League.

Here is a full roundup of the National League play-off semi-final action on Sunday.

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Carlisle United 1-2 Boreham Wood (AET)

Zak Brunt’s extra-time goal sent Boreham Wood into the National League play-off final as they edged out the 10 men of Carlisle 2-1 at Brunton Park.

The visitors had taken a 28th-minute lead through Abdul Abdulmalik as his shot took a deflection before beating Gabe Breeze.

Carlisle were level five minutes before the break as captain Morgan Feeney exchanged passes with David Ajiboye before beating Ted Curd with an angled shot, and Feeney proved key again in the second half as he blocked a goalbound shot from Matt Rush.

The Cumbrians had their chances to win it, with substitute Georgie Kelly seeing an 81st-minute goal disallowed for handball before extra time began with a superb Chris Conn-Clarke effort kept out by an equally good Curd save.

But Carlisle were reduced to 10 men when substitute Junior Luamba saw red for a poor challenge on Brunt six minutes into extra time, and the midfielder punished the hosts with a chipped finish in the 106th minute.

Rochdale 2-1 Scunthorpe United

Rochdale will face Boreham Wood in the National League play-off final on May 10 after holding on to beat Scunthorpe 2-1 in their semi-final at the Crown Oil Arena.

Dale booked their place at Wembley thanks to Will Evans’ early own goal and Devante Rodney’s second-half effort before Declan Howe pulled one back for the Iron late on.

Jimmy McNulty’s side, consigned to the play-offs after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser against York, took an early lead when Scunthorpe defender Evans diverted Luke Hannant’s cross into his own net while under pressure from striker Mani Dieseruvwe.

Hannant curled his effort narrowly wide early in the second half as he ran clear on goal before the home side doubled their lead in the 57th minute through Rodney, who cut in from the left to rifle his ninth league goal of the season into the top corner.

Dale goalkeeper Ollie Whatmuff produced a brilliant double save to keep out Alfie Beestin’s close-range effort and Howe’s follow-up header from a 72nd-minute corner.

Howe’s half-volley was then well blocked by Ethan Ebanks-Landell, and as Scunthorpe finished strongly, the Iron forward reacted quickest in the box to fire home in the 81st minute to set up a nervy finale, but Dale held on.

Elsewhere…

Hanworth Villa secured promotion in the Isthmian League South Central Division play-off final with a 2-0 win over Westfield.

Villa struck early through a penalty from George Wells before sealing the result in the second half through Jack Timberlake.

In between the goals, Westfield were forced to battle on with ten men after Max Meaton received a second yellow card for pulling back Brandon Chebby.

It completes a strong season for Hanworth Villa, who had also beaten Moneyfields 5-1 in the semi-finals before finishing the job in the final to secure promotion to Step 3.

Today, there is a packed schedule across the non-league pyramid of play-off finals….

Play-off finals (3pm kick-off)

• Northern Premier League Premier Division Play-off Final: Hednesford Town v Warrington Rylands
• Isthmian League Premier Division Play-off Final: Billericay Town v Brentwood Town
• Southern League Premier Central Play-off Final: Spalding United v Real Bedford
• Southern League Premier South Play-off Final: Farnham Town v Gloucester City
• Southern League Central Division Play-off Final: Hitchin Town v Biggleswade
• Southern League South Division Play-off Final: Malvern Town v Shaftesbury
• Southern Counties East League Premier Division Play-off Final: Rusthall v Punjab United
• United Counties League Premier Division South Play-off Final: Coventry United v Atherstone Town

Click HERE to watch every National League fixture, live or on demand, via DAZN

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