Oldham were bidding to regain Football League status after three seasons in the National League, while it was four years since Southend were last in the EFL, relegated back in 2021.

The Latics finished 5th in the National League table with 73 points, the Shrimpers finished 7th with 68 points after securing final play-off spot on the final day.

There was a record National League playoff final crowd of 52,115, despite issues regarding the ticket situation. That figure beating the 47,029 from 10 years ago

So how did the game play out? Well, Southend went ahead after just 4 minutes. After Oldham put pressure on, Charley Kendall got on the shoulder of defender Manny Monthe who hesitated, with Kendall forcing Monthe into touching the ball past his own goalkeeper.

SOUTHEND UNITED ARE OFF THE MARK IN THIS NATIONAL LEAGUE FINAL! ⚽️

National League Final | Every Game Live | https://t.co/17IGNhwWu5@SUFCRootsHall | @TheVanaramaNL pic.twitter.com/C3ckGk747O

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) June 1, 2025

On 18 minutes, Oldham came close to levelling. Mark Kitching was slipped in down the left and sent a cross to the far post with Mike Fondop waiting to nod in the leveller, but Vimal Yoganathan got there before. him and headed wide, angering Fondop.

Just past thew half hour mark, an Oldham corner was headed against the post by Joe Garner, however there were men on the line should they needed to keep it out.

Just before half time, Mike Fondop went down in the 18-yard area under challenge from Harry Taylor, however, the referee Elliot Bell turned down any penalty appeals. It seemed as though Taylor didn’t get much, if any, of the ball.

Another moment saw Fondop run clear and lift the ball over Hayes, only for it to go just wide of the post.

Joe Pritchard was booked for holding back a Southend man Appiah-Forson.

The second half began and Oldham were awarded a spot kick in the opening 60 seconds. Southend failed to clear a long throw – and Manny Monthe was brought down by Ben Goodliffe, Joe Garner was also challenge at the far post.

Joe Garner calmly sent keeper Nick Hayes the wrong way, momentum shifted.

OLDHAM ATHLETIC HAVE LEVELED IT 🔥

Watch the Promotion Final live on DAZN. Buy now at https://t.co/17IGNhwWu5⚽️@OfficialOAFC | @TheVanaramaNL pic.twitter.com/PnEX4KTC7H

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) June 1, 2025

On 63 minutes, Nick Hayes watched a shot from the edge of the box make its way through to Mike Fondop and, on the turn from eight yards, kept out his effort.

Southend made a double change. Macauley Bonne and Leon Chambers-Parillon are on, with Charley Kendall and Jack Bridge heading off.

Oldham meanwhile replaced Joe Pritchard with Jesurun Uchegbulam.

There was a penalty appeal on the 70th minute, Keenan Appiah-Forson got the wrong side of Corry Evans and went down, wanting a penalty, but referee Elliot Bell awarded nothing.

More subs on 75 minutes, Joe Garner off, James Norwood on. He scored the winner for Tranmere at Wembley in 2018.

Southend replaced Cav Miley with Oli Coker.

Corry Evans received a yellow card after taking out Macaulay Bonne who looked to try and break away.

The tension getting to the crowd as the game neared 90 minutes on the clock.

Southend finishing the stronger but couldn’t make the most from their chances. Gus Scott-Morriss – 17 goals this season – saw his effort from 20 yards saved by Mathew Hudson.

Southend’s Tom Hopper stopped Mathew Hudson from getting the game going again – leading to a yellow card.

Then Oldham saw Tom Pett cushion a pass off to Mark Kitching, the ball going about one yard wide.

Manny Monthe was shown a yellow card for pulling the shirt of Keenan Appiah-Forson.

Southend took Tom Hopper off, with Josh Walker replacing him.

Another chance scuppered for the Latics, Mike Fondop flicked on for Norwood, but couldn’t find his footing and Hayes gathered the ball.

The game went to extra time, and once again, it was a quick start from the Shrimpers, just 38 seconds after the restart.

Gus Scott-Morriss’ cross was pushed away by Hudson where Leon Chambers-Parillon headed into an empty net from two yards.

SOUTHEND UNITED ON TOP AGAIN EARLY IN EXTRA TIME

Watch the Promotion Final live on DAZN. Buy now at https://t.co/17IGNhwWu5⚽️@SUFCRootsHall | @TheVanaramaNL pic.twitter.com/HqF7HvAsVH

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) June 1, 2025

Oldham brought off Mark Kitching for former Southend defender Shaun Hobson, some cheeky boos in the Southend end.

Shaun Hobson dragged back Josh Walker, earning a booking which he would take as his opponent was away down the right flank.

Corry Evans off, Kian Harratt on as Oldham searched for an equaliser.

Second half of extra time and nearly a third for Southend. Walker carried the ball half the way up the pitch and tried a shot from a tight angle, only to be blocked by Hudson.

Macaulay Bonne made his way down to the byline and cut back inside, only for it to be saved by Hudson. Then referee Elliot Bell had to be replaced after an injury. Alan Bannister being his replacement.

And then who could have seen this moment coming. Oldham scored twice in two minute. A straight ball over the top evaded Ben Goodliffe and James Norwood made his way around Nick Hayes before netting.

Then straight after that on 112 minutes, Kian Harratt then put Oldham ahead, curling in a left-footed cross, and ending up in at the far post.

The final whistle blew and Oldham sealed promotion back to the EFL after three years away, while it is also their first promotion since 1991.

DO NOT WRITE OLDHAM OFF 😱

OLDHAM ATHLETIC HAVE COMPLETELY TURNED IT AROUND IN EXTRA TIME

Watch the Promotion Final live on DAZN. Buy now at https://t.co/17IGNhwWu5⚽️@OfficialOAFC | @TheVanaramaNL pic.twitter.com/2lpdEMVQ6s

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) June 1, 2025

OLDHAM ATHLETIC ARE LEAGUE 2!!! 👏@OfficialOAFC | @TheVanaramaNL pic.twitter.com/3JzVksVSyl

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) June 1, 2025

Celebratory thoughts from Oldham Athletic manager Micky Mellon@OfficialOAFC | @TheVanaramaNL pic.twitter.com/v5ASapxjHR

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) June 1, 2025

Welcome back to the EFL 🙌@OfficialOAFC | @TheVanaramaNL pic.twitter.com/9VaSLLGyAF

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) June 1, 2025

: Congrats lads!! Welcome back to the football league 👍 made up you’ve done Southend! Delighted. See you next season! Enjoy tonight 🍻👊

: Congratulations guys welcome back to the football league and great to see you with strong settled ownership Frank given you your club back 👏🏻

: Congratulations Oldham, never managed to beat that “tram stop” in a league fixture, but best of luck going forward and you’ll not be back

: Was in tears at full time with my dad that’s what this club does to me fucking back where we belong #oafc

: The disrespect Micky Mellon gets is ridiculous, hes a winner. Oldham fans wanted him out all season. I wanted them to lose today but happy for him he deserves it. See you next season! #OAFC

: Congrats Oldham, what a turnaround today. When push came to shove you pulled 3 great wins out of the bag when it mattered most and not many people backed you to, including myself.

: One club was ending the day heartbroken, both deserved it just as much as each other well in lads hope to see you there soon

: Some game that, well done Oldham, from a Grimsby fan. Great to see you back in the league

: Amazing result. Congrats to the Latics fans from a Rochdale fan!! Gutted we won’t be playing you next season. Enjoy the celebration, well deserved!!

: Tranmere fan here. Well Done Oldham…!!!! A great game…and great to have you back in League Two…. Many Congrats…

: What an incredible game that was, credit to both teams for a brilliant play off final 👏🏻👏🏻 Congratulations to Oldham Athletic who are back in the EFL after 3 years in the National League. Gutted for Southend & Kevin Maher but it’s Oldham who are back in League Two. #oafc #sufc

: So the Mellon man has done it again yet another promotion to add his honours list a truly underrated manager congratulations Micky and Oldham see ya next season #OAFC #Salop

@RyanDeeney2194: Genuinely delighted for #OAFC. Gone from terrible ownership and an inevitable relegation to non-league to a first top half finish in years, first play-off finish in years & now a first promotion in over 30 years. What a way to do it as well. Fair play.

Fleetwood Town boss and Oldham fan Pete Wild in January sold Kian Harratt to Oldham earlier in the season from FTFC

Just a few months later Kian Harratt scores the goal to send Pete Wilds boyhood club back to the EFL!

Masterclass…🔵#oafc pic.twitter.com/zXSHAtGHxI

— Knappers (@ftfcknappers23) June 1, 2025