Rochdale beat Scunthorpe to book Wembley final against Boreham Wood

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, denied automatic promotion on the final day of the regular season, 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 last week, 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.