Forest Green were defeated on penalties as Southend United progressed to the National League play-off final.

Gus Scott-Morriss scored the winning spot-kick in a tight battle at The New Lawn.

In an even start, forward Joe Quigley headed wide whilst Keenan Appiah-Forsun rattled the crossbar with an effort from the edge of the area.

Kyle McAllister went close after 23 minutes following some good work by Quigley but the wide man dragged his effort wide of the post.

Charlie McCann showed excellently strength to hold off a challenge to find Liam Sercombe but his low strike was deflected into the arms of Nick Hayes.

Southend took the lead after the break when Ben Goodliffe headed Oli Coker's lofted free-kick into the bottom corner.

Ryan Inniss levelled the game just after the hour mark after McAllister's deep free-kick was met powerfully by the towering centre back.

Both sides pressed for a winner but the tie went to extra time.

Rovers took an early advantage in the fifth minute of extra time when Emmanuel Osadebe's squirmed underneath the goalkeeper.

The visitors pushed for a level and got one deep into extra time when Jack Bridge found the bottom corner from 18-yards to send the game to penalties.

Scott-Morriss slotted home the match winning penalty sending the Shrimpers to Wembley.

Forest Green: Cann, Long, Inniss, Moore-Taylor, Robson, May (Bunker 118), McCann, Sercombe, McAllister (Knowles 113), Garrick (Osadebe 90), Quigley (Cardwell 90)

Subs not used: Searle, Doidge, Jenks

Southend United: Hayes, Scott-Morriss, Taylor, Goodliffe, Ralph, Husin (Bridge 81), Chambers-Parillion (Walker 95), Appiah-Forsun, Coker (Miley 66), Kendall (Bonne 58), Hopper (Gubbins 105)

Subs not used: Jaakkola, Wind