Wembley joy for Stephen McLaughlin

There was joy at Wembley Stadium for second time within a week for former Derry City players when Southend United won a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Wycombe Wanderers in the SkyBet League Two play-off final.

Winger Stephen McLaughlin (pictured), on loan at United from Championship side Nottingham Forest, was included in the United starting line-up manager Phil Brown.

However, despite being a “thorn in the side” of the Wanderers defence – which resulted in Paul Hayes yellow-carded for hauling back the 24-year-old – the former Candystripe was replaced by Joe Pigott an hour into a scoreless game as the former Hull City and Bolton Wanderers boss looked to break the deadlock.

The substition would prove inspirational as United would go on to come back from a goal down to win the game in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Wanderers took the five minutes into extra time when an Aaron Holloway free-kick bounced down off the crossbar and the ball ended up in the back of the net off the back of Southend’s 21-year-old goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

Pigott scored a last gasp equaliser to take the game into penalties which Southend went on to win 7-6.

Last Sunday, Mark McChrystal captained Bristol Rovers in the Vanarama play-off final which will see the former Derry City central defender play in the SkyBet League Two next season.