Wycombe Wanderers will play either Sheffield Wednesday or Sunderland in the 2022 League One play-off final, after they edge past Milton Keynes 2-1 on aggregate. 

Gareth Ainsworth’s men lost 1-0 on the day thanks to a Troy Parrott header, but goals from Sam Vokes and Ryan Tafazolli from the first leg ensued another date at Wembley has been booked in the Wanderers diary.

The hosts needed a strong performance to have a chance of getting into the Wembley showpiece on May 21, and it’s fair to say that they dominated the opening half.

The first four minutes saw Scott Twine, Hiram Boateng and Parrott all work well to put the Wanderers backline on the backfoot, and with just 60 seconds on the clock, MK nearly took the lead as Harry Darling hit the crossbar with a looping header.

Liam Manning’s men were in control as they bossed the Wycombe half and on 15 minutes, they had several glorious chances to get themselves back in the tie.

First, Theo Corbeanu, who came into their starting line-up from Thursday’s match, forced David Stockdale into a low save.

Seconds later, Twine, who got the winner for MK against Wycombe back in January at Adams Park, saw his shot from inside the box go just wide.

Twine, who was recently named the League One Player of the Season, continued to pepper the Wanderers defence with shots as Wycombe were on the ropes, so it was no shock that they took the lead.

With 26 minutes played, MK finally found a way past through and it was Parrott who gave the north Buckinghamshire side some hope.

Boateng’s lofted cross found the man on loan from Tottenham, and the 20-year-old, who got the winner against the Chairboys in September with a penalty, looped his header from six-yards over a stranded David Stockdale.

It was his 11th of the season for club and country and his first in four games.

Wycombe were poor and couldn’t get to grips with MK’s power and pace.

They needed half-time as it was an onslaught of shots.

The goal gave MK life, as Twine saw another one of his free-kicks go wide, Parrott saw his shot miss the target, and Stockdale was on hand to parry many attempts away.

The second period began as the first ended with MK controlling the match.

@James_BFP I refer you to my prophetic tweet 😄 https://t.co/uFTD3CHlZF

Joe Jacobson produced an incredible block to deny Parrott’s goal-bound shot and seconds later, Stockdale was on hand to save from Corbeanu.

Milton Keynes continued to bash in the Wycombe door but the Adams Park club were holding on, which led the home side to resort to taking long-range shots.

On 67 minutes, Wanderers finally had an effort, as the ball fell kindly to Dom Gape, but his half-volley from 20-yards flew just past Jamie Cumming’s goal.

And that’s how it finished.

MK might have won the battle on the day, but Wycombe won the war with a place at Wembley being the prize.