Play-off preview: Scunthorpe v Southend United

While the play-offs are filled with dread and anxiety for most fans, for Southend and Scunthorpe supporters they have produced some of their most memorable moments in decades.

The Shrimpers travel to Lincolnshire tonight with what happened a year ago fresh in their minds - an epic comeback at Rochdale, following by a breathless evening in the Cotswolds.

They ultimately fell just short at Wembley, but Kevin Maher knows his team are stronger 12 months on. Problem is, so are Scunthorpe United - and they didn’t mind their National League North play-off campaign last May!

One of the stories of the season hope to keep flying under the radar - but make no mistake, they crave a second promotion inside a year just as much as their visitors.

Here's everything you need to know about the big game.

The story so far:

Scunthorpe United’s first season back in the National League couldn’t have gone much better. Flying out of the starting blocks with three wins, it didn’t prove to be a false dawn. Not out of the top seven all campaign, Andy Butler’s team see no reason why the club’s four-year EFL exile needs to continue.

There won’t be many teams to play at Wembley three times in a year, and that’s the aim for FA Trophy finalists Southend. But with two away games to side-step, they’ll need to do it the hard way again. The Iron are the only side they’ve not scored against this season and they’ve beaten them twice - but the Shrimpers have vital play-off experience.

Top scorers:

Scunthorpe United
Callum Roberts 18
Danny Whitehall 18
Declan Howe 12

Southend United
Andrew Dallas 17
Gus Scott-Morriss 15
Charley Kendall 8

Head-to-head:
27/9/25 - Southend United 0-2 Scunthorpe United
7/02/26 - Scunthorpe United 1-0 Southend United

What they’re saying….

Will Evans, Scunthorpe United defender:

“These are the games you want to be involved in as a footballer. It’s pretty much a cup game - Southend got to the Promotion Final last year, and they’re a good team. We need to be really on our game, but if you want to get to the EFL you have to beat the best.”

Kevin Maher, Southend United manager:

“It’s a quick turn around, but we’re used to that after the last few months. We’ve got players who have been through the play-offs and know what to expect. Our fans will be heard and they will play a huge part - we hope to go up there and perform for them.”