A controversial penalty decision gave Morecambe the vital goal as they beat Newport County to get to the third tier of English Soccer for the first time in their history.
Neither side were able to get the back of the internet in ordinary time, but in the next half of extra-time that the deadlock was finally broken up by Carlos Mendes Gomes’ penalty.
In the absence of VAR, but the decision came.
Newport had a penalty shout themselves turned down at the first half, when Shrimps goalkeeper Kyle Letheren appeared to make contact with Scot Bennett’s mind, but the referee that time waved play on.
The Shrimps managed to maintain their flawless record at Wembley, having won their only two previous appearances at the stadium — a 2007 Conference play-off final against Exeter and the 1974 FA Trophy final.
It was also director Derek Adams’ second marketing from the fourth tier, having headed Plymouth from League 2 in 2016/17.
With Wembley opening its doors to 9,083 lovers, it was Morecambe who had the first prospect of the game in the next minute when Mendes Gomes drove the ball wide of the goal from the edge of the region.
Despite the Shrimps’s ancient stress, it was Newport who came closest with Bennett’s header going just wide of the post following a long throw from Mickey Demetriou.
The Welsh club felt aggrieved when Bennett was struck by Letheren, having beaten the goalkeeper to the ball.
Newport continued to look dangerous from the throw , with another opportunity midway through the first half, but Josh Sheehan’s attempt from the edge of this box lacked power and was easily gathered by Letheren.
The 34th moment was pronounced with applause from both teams in memory of former Morecambe participant Christian Mbulu, who died on 26 May 2020.
Shrimps goalkeeper Letheren maintained the game goalless in the 78th minute with a low diving save to deny Liam Shephard’s curled low drive.
With the possibility of extra-time looming, Exiles director Michael Flynn brought on former Morecambe participant Kevin Ellison, that became the oldest outfield player to appear in the EFL play-off final at age 42.
In added time Newport again went close, but captain Joss Labadie, who was remembered for the final after suffering a gashed knee earlier in the month, fired over from five yards out after being found with a well-weighted cross from Nicky Maynard.
With the game appearing to be heading towards penalties, Morecambe have been awarded the vital spot-kick and Mendes Gomes made no mistake to seal his side’s historical promotion to League One.
