Bantams boss Graham Alexander on League Two play-off final

The City boss hopes to see Crawley emerge triumphant from their clash with Crewe as a reward for manager and long-term friend Scott Lindsey.

But after both clubs pulled off surprise semi-final triumphs to get there, Alexander refuses to hazard a guess of who will be lifting the trophy.

Few expected either team to be competing for the final promotion spot.

But Crawley thumped fourth-placed MK Dons 8-1 on aggregate – scoring five in the away leg.

And Crewe bounced back from losing their home tie against League Two’s form team Doncaster to win the return and go through on penalties.

“I think everyone would have said that both favourites for the semi-finals got knocked out,” said Alexander.

“You saw the big swing in the Crewe tie from being 2-0 down to winning in the second leg. Then, probably in the other tie, people were expecting a similar sort of swing.

“But that went completely the opposite way – it just shows that play-offs are crazy.

“They affect players, coaches, supporters, the environment around it. They are unique.

“It’s not even like a cup game where you might get knocked out but you get another chance next year.

“Whereas promotion defines your whole next season. That’s you playing 46 games at a different level and different stadiums.

“The play-offs bring on their own sort of atmosphere and feeling.

“They are brilliant to watch as a neutral – but I’m staying away from making any predictions!”

Crewe players go wild after beating Doncaster on penalties (Image: PA)

Crawley, who did the double over the Bantams during the season, were tipped to go down before a ball was kicked having just avoided the drop in 2023.

But Lindsey’s side edged out City for the final play-off place and are now heading for Wembley for the first time in their history.

Alexander added: “If you go back to the season before when Leyton Orient, Carlisle and Stevenage got promoted, they’d all struggled the previous year.

“Certainly in League Two, I think seasons can get turned around in one summer. There is a load of change at this level in terms of players and staff.

“It’s about the best team and the most consistent doing it over 10 months.

“I’m devastated that we didn’t get over the line but Scott Lindsey is a really old friend of mine.

“I played in the Scunthorpe youth team with him in the late ’80s and we’ve kept in touch over the years.

“I know how his journey to being a football league manager has been really quite difficult and he’s had to work exceptionally hard to get there.

“I texted him at the end of the season to wish him all the best and say congratulations. Although they pipped us over the line, it was important to act like men.

“He’s a great guy, a proper football guy. I knew his dad (Keith) who played for Scunthorpe back in the ’60s and ’70s.

“I really hope for him that Crawley do it but both teams have fought to get there and deserve to be in the final. Nobody can take that away after 48 games.”

Surprise finalists Crawley did the league double over City (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Alexander and Chris Lucketti were at Gresty Road to see Doncaster beat Crewe 2-0 in their first leg.

“To be honest, I didn’t see Crewe turning the tie round at that end of that game. Donny were in such ridiculous form having just won 10 in a row.

“But that’s what the play-offs are about. One team with one win in 10 and the other with 10 wins in 11 – and the other one wins.

“Predictions for the final? No chance. Whoever does it, they deserve it.”