Southend United goalkeeper Daniel Bentley has declared that winning promotion through the playoffs is better than going up automatically.

The Shrimpers booked their place in League One for next season following a dramatic penalty-shootout victory against Wycombe Wanderers, in which Bentley saved two spot kicks.

"It was in our hands on the last day of the season but we didn't want to go up automatically," he told reporters.

"We fancied Wembley and coming up this way instead. Thankfully it went our way and I'm just ecstatic for the lads and for the club. It's fantastic."

The match finished 1-1 after extra time, with Bentley handing Wycombe the lead by scoring an own goal in the 95th minute before turning hero in the shootout.

Written by
Mark Langshaw