Joe Garner celebrates winning the National League play-off final with Oldham. _(Image: PA)_
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Former Ipswich Town duo Joe Garner and James Norwood netted for Oldham Athletic as the Latics beat Southend United in the National League promotion final yesterday.
Micky Mellon's side secured a return to the League Two after three years away in front of a National League record crowd of more than 52,000 at Wembley.
Joe Garner nets from the penalty spot at Wembley. _(Image: PA)_
The Essex side had ex-loanee Macauley Bonne and keeper Nick Hayes in their squad, with the former coming off the bench in the second half.
An own-goal from Manny Monthe put the Shrimpers ahead in the fifth minute, before Oldham equalised when Garner netted a penalty in the 48th minute. The match ended 1-1 in normal time, so extra-time was needed.
Southend scored another early goal, with Leon Chambers-Parillon firing home in the 91st minute, but Oldham fought back again.
James Norwood celebrates his third promotion of his career. _(Image: PA)_
Norwood equalised in the 110th minute, before Kian Harratt's watched his in-swinging cross nestle into the back of the net two minutes later to complete one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Wembley history.
The Latics have returned to the EFL after finishing 12th and tenth in the last two campaigns respectively in the National League. Their promotion is also their first in 34 years.
Overall, Garner scored 10 goals in 32 games for Town during his one season at Portman Road, while Norwood bagged 28 goals in 88 appearances in his third year spell in Suffolk.