MK Dons 1-0 Wycombe (agg 1-2): Chairboys progress to League One play-off final despite defeat  

MK Dons 1-0 Wycombe (agg 1-2): Chairboys on the brink of Championship return as they progress to the League One play-off final despite semi-final second leg defeat

  • Wycombe are in the League One play-off final after knocking out MK Dons
  • The Chairboys won 2-0 in the first leg and defended their lead away from home
  • Troy Parrott’s goal gave the Dons a 1-0 second leg victory, but it wasn’t enough
  • Gareth Ainsworth’s side will face Sunderland or Sheffield Wednesday in the final 

A second League One play-off final in three seasons for Wycombe, but MK Dons were left wondering how they had missed out.

They dominated most of the game at Stadium MK, but all they had to show for it was Troy Parrott’s header in the first half.

So Wycombe’s dream of a return to the Championship at the first time of asking remains alive — and they will face the winner of tonight’s Sheffield Wednesday v Sunderland clash at Wembley on May 21.

Wycombe were relegated from the Championship last year but are now on the brink of a return

MK Dons came within inches of halving the deficit within 65 seconds of the kick-off when Harry Darling’s header from a Scott Twine corner looped against the bar.

Wycombe goalkeeper David Stockdale then had to prevent Theo Corbeanu’s cross sneaking in at his near post before Twine shot wide when well-positioned in the opposition penalty area.

It was part of a frantic start by the Dons and they had another half-chance when Dan Harvie flicked a header wide from Twine’s free-kick.

The breakthrough they deserved came after 26 minutes when Hiram Boateng’s ball into the box picked out Parrott coming around the back and his header looped in over Stockdale.

Twine then threatened twice from free-kicks in quick succession, first forcing Stockdale to tip over before sending another effort into the side-netting. The hosts continued to press after the restart, and it took a brilliant last-ditch challenge from Wycombe captain Joe Jacobson to get in the way of Parrott’s effort.

Troy Parrott put MK Dons in front on the night, but his side could not find a crucial second goal

Troy Parrott put MK Dons in front on the night, but his side could not find a crucial second goal

Sam Vokes' goal in the first leg at Adams Park ultimately proved to be the difference in the tie

Sam Vokes’ goal in the first leg at Adams Park ultimately proved to be the difference in the tie

Stockdale then came to Wycombe’s rescue again when he produced a terrific save to keep out a vicious effort from Corbeanu.

Having hardly threatened at all, Wycombe almost came up with a sucker-punch when midfielder Dominic Gape shot wide from just outside the box.

The chances had finally started to dry up for the Dons, who brought on striker Connor Wickham as time started to run out. Ten minutes after his arrival, Wickham headed Kaine Kesler Hayden’s cross over the bar before Stockdale had one more save to pull off, from Parrott in stoppage time, as Wycombe held on.

‘It’s a huge relief,’ said Wycombe’s rock star boss, Gareth Ainsworth. ‘MK Dons were superb. But my boys were resolute, unbelievable. I’m so proud to be taking these boys to Wembley.’