Brighton 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1 (Sheffield Wednesday win 3-1 on agg)

Ross Wallace stunned Brighton for the second time in four days as Sheffield Wednesday moved another step closer to the Premier League on Monday night.

The Scottish winger had opened the scoring from 30 yards in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final on Friday, and struck from a similar distance at the Amex Stadium to fire Wednesday to Wembley.

Yet there was more than a hint of fortune about this strike after Wallace launched a cross towards the Brighton net and watched it loop over everybody and bounce into the net. Nevertheless, it secured Wednesday a 1-1 draw on the night and a 3-1 aggregate victory.

They will move on to the final a week on Saturday, for what is likely to be an all-Yorkshire affair with Hull holding a 3-0 advantage over Derby in the other semi-final.

Meanwhile, Brighton, who finished 15 points ahead of the Owls, were left to dwell on a third play-off failure in four seasons.

Yet Chris Hughton’s side threatened to wipe out Wednesday’s lead in the space of a frantic opening half hour. They led on the night through Lewis Dunk and saw a host of other chances come and go.

Brighton’s Anthony Knockaert took the game almost single-handedly to the visitors, curling one free-kick on to the near post and rolled a second under the wall, only for Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood to scramble across and smother the ball.

Westwood also tipped a fierce Sam Baldock shot over before Knockaert somehow headed wide at the far post. But Knockaert’s persistence eventually paid off in the 19th minute when he flighted in another free-kick which was flicked on by Bruno for Dunk to apply the finish.

However, just as a packed and raucous Amex braced itself for a famous comeback, Wallace spoiled the mood.

After the break Brighton continued to pour forward but Wednesday held firm to keep their dream of a return to the top flight after 16 years well and truly alive.