Leeds United targeted goalkeeper Daniel Bentley was Southend's hero today at Wembley, helping his side clinch promotion to League One in the playoff final against Wycombe Wanderers and earning plaudits from his manager and the man of the match in the process.

Bentley was unlucky for Wycombe Wanderers' goal, with Joe Jacobson hitting a superb free-kick in the first half of extra time, which bounced back from the crossbar and against the Southend goalkeeper's back and into the net.




Wycombe looked to be heading for victory, but in injury time at the end of the second half of extra time, a cross which was knocked down fell into the path of Joe Piggot, who took one touch to set the ball up and then drilled it into the back of the net. It was 1-1 and penalties would follow.

Both sides produced a number of quality spot-kicks, but in sudden death Bentley summoned that bit extra and palmed a penalty from Sam Wood onto the post, helping Southend to win the shoot-out 7-6.
 

 

Bentley was delighted, but quick to explain he always felt confident he would be able to come up with the goods when it came to penalties.

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He told Sky Sports: "This club has been wanting to go up the leagues for a long time and to finally do it is amazing.

"I fancied myself at penalties. I'm confident, so I just had to do the business. I expect to save them."

And Bentley had his heroics praised by team-mate and man of the match Barry Corr and manager Phil Brown, with both not sparing the compliments for the shot-stopper.

"This guy is unbelievable. He's got a big future in front of him and he's going to be a Premier League goalkeeper, no doubt", Corr explained.

"I knew he'd come up with a save and he came up with two. He's different class."

And Brown added: "Dan's a match winner and he's made match winning saves all season.

"He's kept clean sheets at the right time. Everything about Dan Bentley's going to go further. Hopefully he'll stay with us next season, but let's hope Dan Bentley can play at the top one day."

Bentley has been linked with a number of clubs, not least Leeds.
 

 

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