Demetriou hoping it's third time lucky with Crewe at Wembley

The central defender had a topsy-turvy semi-final second leg at Doncaster Rovers on Friday night.

Exiles legend Demetriou, who left Rodney Parade last summer after 300 appearances for the club, scored the opener after six that gave the Railwaymen hope of turning around a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.

That was swiftly followed by a James Maxwell own goal, as Doncaster suffered their first defeat in 14 games since March 2.

BLOW: Mickey Demetriou missed from the spot for Crewe, but they won the shoot-out against Doncaster (Image: PA)

There were no more goals in extra time and that led to spot-kicks with Demetriou, who famously scored a penalty in the Exiles’ Great Escape win against Notts County, seeing his tame effort saved by Thimothee Lo-Tutala.

However, emergency loan signing Max Stryjek, drafted in from Wycombe, was the shoot-out hero when he saved from Hakeeb Adelakun to clinch a 4-3 shoot-out victory after he had also denied Zain Westbrooke.

Crewe will face Crawley at Wembley on Sunday, May 19 after they demolished Milton Keynes Dons.

The Reds, who qualified for the play-offs on last day, headed to Buckinghamshire with a 3-0 advantage and enjoyed an incredible 5-1 triumph to win 8-1 on aggregate.

Demetriou, who is joined in the Crewe squad by former County striker Courtney Baker-Richardson, has had a superb first season at Gresty Road.

The left-footer has made 54 appearances and scored 10 goals, with his exploits earning a fresh contract.

Demetriou was a member of two County sides that suffered controversial Wembley defeats to Tranmere in 2019 and Morecambe in 2021.

He isn't the only one hoping that it's third time lucky - former Exiles playmaker Josh Sheehan will take on Oxford with Bolton Wanderers in the League One final.