Millwall 2 Huddersfield 0 (Aggregate: 2-0)
Just six months ago Steve Morison was guilty of his worst miss in football.
The blunder from under the bar in the FA Cup at non-League Staines Town gave fans more reason to barrack the striker, who had scored just twice in 18 games since his £130,000 summer move from Stevenage Borough.
But against Huddersfield last night Morison hit his 23rd goal of a rollercoaster campaign to signal his return to Wembley in the League One Play-off Final against Swindon, a year after leading Stevenage to FA Trophy glory there.
After the 2-0 second-leg victory, Morison thanked Millwall boss Kenny Jackett for sticking by him when times got tough and not even a pitch invasion at The Den by fans, who had been told over and over again during the second-half to stay off, could spoil his night.
"The stick I got earlier in the season wasn't too bad — others were getting worse. It didn't get too personal, it was more frustration," said the striker.
"The gaffer kept putting me in and I must have got a bit lucky because a few were injured so it was only me available to play. That miss at Staines was almost on the goal line, I don't know how. It must have been my worst ever."
The turnaround started just three days later. Morison said: "The gaffer put me straight back in the team against MK Dons, whose goalkeeper was saving everything. I was getting more frustrated until scoring a really good goal in about the 93rd minute to win it. I haven't looked back since."
After a goalless away leg, the 26‑year-old admitted he needed a bit of luck to break the deadlock midway through the first-half.
"I thought I didn't make the right run when Scowy [Danny Schofield] put the ball over," said Morison. "But it was right place, right time and the keeper put it on a plate for me."
It was appropriate that captain Paul Robinson, who missed last season's play-off final defeat by Scunthorpe through injury, should make the semi-final tie safe with nine minutes left.
After Millwall's five failed attempts in the play-offs, Morison's past could prove a lucky omen on 29 May.
Read More
He added: "I've played at Wembley twice, won and scored both times. It's a marvellous place for winners but one place you don't want to lose."
