Millwall 2-3 Scunthorpe United

Gary Alexander’s first half brace had given the Lions a 2-1 interval lead after Matt Sparrow fired Scunthorpe in front as early as the sixth minute.

However, Sparrow grabbed his second of the game in the 70th minute before Woolford’s late winner ensured it was a day of heartbreak for the tens of thousands of Millwall fans who made the journey to the national stadium.

Millwall had the first opportunity on five minutes when Neil Harris latched on to David Forde’s long clearance and his low ball took a deflection off a Scunthorpe defender, but Lewis Grabban’s header went straight at Iron keeper Joe Murphy.

However, it was Scunthorpe who broke the deadlock moments later when Gary Hooper flicked the ball on to send Woolford clear.

Woolford’s shot was saved by Forde but the Lions keeper could only parry the ball into the path of Sparrow, who fired home despite a gallant attempt by Andy Frampton to close him down.

Scunthorpe broke clear from a Millwall corner in the 13th minute and Woolford unleashed a powerful shot from 20-yards which just sailed over the bar.

Hooper was unfortunate when his low cross into the danger zone just hit the outside of the post and went behind for goal kick as Scunthorpe continued their early dominance.

Zak Whitbread connected with Dave Martin’s free-kick on the edge of the area, but his shot on the turn was easily dealt with by Murphy.

Alexander’s 17th minute cross was only half cleared by Scunthorpe’s defence but Jimmy Abdou’s shot was blocked.

Only a vital deflection from Tony Craig prevented Hayes doubling Scunthorpe’s advantage on half an hour but the Lions should have been back on terms shortly afterwards.

Harris picked out Martin and his low shot into the danger zone took a deflection off Sam Togwell and on to the post, much to the frustration of the Martin.

Grabban totally scuffed his kick on 32 minutes after the ball was played to him in a dangerous position when the winger was completely unmarked.

But Millwall were level five minutes later when the new Wembley stadium was graced with arguably the best goal scored here to date.

A Scunthorpe throw in was met by Whitbread, whose header picked out Alexander 40 yards out and the striker unleashed an incredible volley which flew past Murphy.

And Alexander struck again two minutes later to completely turn the game on its head when Martin’s cross picked him out and the striker’s header beat Murphy from eight yards.

Woolford’s effort from 18-yards in first half injury time lacked power and Forde comfortably gathered as the Lions went in at the break in front.

Grabban capitalised on a mistake by Ian Morris eight minutes into the second half by dispossessing him on the halfway line.

The Millwall winger went on a useful run before shooting from 20-yards, but his attempt was weak and went well wide of the post.

Martin’s 58th minute corner found Alexander at the back post, although the hat-trick was never going to be completed on this occasion as his header was off target.

Whitbread thought he would try his luck and follow in Alexander’s footsteps on the hour with a shot from 40-yards out that over the bar.

Liam Trotter was denied twice in the 64th minute when his initial effort was saved by Forde and Andy Frampton was ideally placed to block the second attempt.

At the other end, only a vital tackle from Andy Crosby denied Alexander a shot on target, although Martin’s corner was a poor one and easily dealt with by the Iron defence.

However, Scunthorpe drew level on 70 minutes when Woolford got beyond Whitbread and delivered a low cross into the danger zone which found Sparrow, who had the time and space to line up the ball before blasting home past Forde.

The Millwall keeper reacted quickly in the 74th minute to gather before the on-rushing Paul Hayes could get on the end of a through ball played into the area.

But Alexander should have restored Millwall’s advantage two minutes later when he was picked out by an inch perfect cross from Hackett before inexplicably heading wide of the target with the goal at his mercy.

Millwall paid the price for that miss five minutes from time when a goalmouth scramble ended with Woolford shaking off the attentions of Dunne before firing in a shot which went under Forde’s body and into the net.

The Lions were unfortunate not to make it 3-3 within two minutes when Alexander flicked on to Harris but his low shot was well saved by the fingers of Murphy.

That was as close as Kenny Jackett’s side came despite the four minutes of added time and Scunthorpe held on to win promotion.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Whitbread, Craig, Frampton (Robinson 90), Grabban, Bolder, Abdou (Laird 46), Lewis Grabban (Hackett 63), Alexander, Harris. Subs not used: Pidgeley, Barron. Att: 59,661.