Oldham Athletic spell comeback to beat Southend United in playoff final thriller

Jun 1, 2025, 06:16 pm
Oldham ended their three-year haitus from the Football League on Sunday.
Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Oldham Athletic will return to the Football League after twice coming from behind to beat Southend United 3-2 in extra-time to win the National League playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Oldham, who were one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992, had been in the Football League for 115 years until they were relegated from League Two in April 2022.

However, after emerging victorious in front of a record 52,115 fans at Wembley, they will ensure a return for next season.

Southend took the lead in the opening minutes through a Manny Month own goal, but a Joe Garner minutes into the second-half levelled the scores and eventually sent the game to extra-time.

The Shrimpers re-took the lead with a goal from substitute Leon Chambers-Parillon, only for Oldham to hit a quick-fire double through James Norwood and Kian Harratt.