Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough: Match Stats & Timeline

Southampton will meet Hull City at Wembley Stadium for a chance to secure an immediate return to the Premier League after coming from behind to topple Middlesbrough 2-1 in the Championship play-off semi-finals.

In a tie that has dominated the headlines for matters off the pitch, both sides gave it their absolute all in a dramatic contest which was ultimately decided by a Shea Charles cross in extra-time.

After the first leg ended in a goalless draw, Middlesbrough took the lead five minutes in at St Mary's courtesy of Riley McGree but they were pegged back just before half-time by Ross Stewart.

The match appeared to be heading towards a tense penalty shootout until Charles broke Middlesbrough hearts in the 116th minute.

Boro showed plenty of iniative in the opening exchanges and they were rewarded when Callum Brittain's low cross found McGree unattended in the penalty area and the midfielder produced an excellent first-time finish to find the bottom corner.

Kim Hellberg's side would have been delighted to enter the half-time interval ahead as Southampton grew into the contest and began to probe, but their rearguard was breached in first half stoppage time as Sol Brynn's parried save only went as far as Stewart, who powered a header into the back of the net from two yards out.

The Saints could consider themselves fortunate early in the second half when a handball from Kuryu Matsuki in the penalty area went unpunished, but the hosts had a credible penalty appeal waved away themselves when Leo Scienza went down under a challenge from Luke Ayling.

Tired legs set in for the visiting side with Southampton looking the likelier of the two to snatch a late winner, but Tonda Eckert's men were unable to convert their territorial dominance into a breakthrough with the game going into extra-time.

Middlesbrough's backline were again content at soaking up Southampton pressure, but their resolve was finally broken in the most heartbreaking fashion as Charles launched a zipping cross into the penalty area which evaded everyone, including the head of Dael Fry, and nestled into the far corner.

It's a second Championship play-off final appearance in three years for Southampton and they will be hoping for a repeat of their previous experience where they defeated Leeds United.

Southampton v Middlesbrough Timeline

5' - GOAL! Middlesbrough. Scored by Riley McGree, assisted by Callum Brittain.
13' - Yellow card for Riley McGree.
37' - Yellow card for Nathan Wood.
38' - Yellow card for Luke Ayling.
45+1' - GOAL! Southampton. Scored by Ross Stewart.
56' - Yellow card for Finn Azaz.
66' - Flynn Downes replaced Kuryu Matsuki.
73' - Alan Browne replaced Tommy Conway.
78' - Yellow card for Adilson Malanda.
83' - Leo Castledine replaced David Strelec.
85' - Cyle Larin replaced Ross Stewart, Samuel Edozie replaced Leo Scienza.

Extra Time:

92' - Yellow card for Callum Brittain.
106' - Jeremy Sarmiento replaced Riley McGree.
116' - GOAL! Southampton. Scored by Shea Charles.
119' - Cameron Bragg replaced Casper Jandar, Welington replaced Samuel Edozie.
119' - Sontje Hansen replaced Luke Ayling.
120+3' - Yellow card for Daniel Peretz.
120+6' - Yellow card for Cyle Larin.

Southampton v Middlesbrough Match Stats

Southampton	2-1	Middlesbrough
60%	Possession	40%
1.99	Expected Goals	0.98
20	Shots	18
7	Shots on Target	3
2	Goalkeeper Saves	5
15	Fouls Committed	19
11	Corners	5
488	Passes Completed	314
19	Successful Tackles	14
34	Clearances	53
4	Yellow Cards	4
0	Red Cards	0