Wanderers will line-up as a Sky Bet Championship side next season.

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Oxford United 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers:
Chairboys reach second-tier for the first time in their history (July 13, 2020)

Wycombe reached the second tier of English football for the first time in their 133-year history after they beat Oxford 2-1 in the Sky Bet League One play-off final.

Joe Jacobson's second-half penalty proved the difference as Gareth Ainsworth's men completed a remarkable season which began with few expecting them to emerge as realistic promotion contenders.

Over 76,000 were in attendance when Charlton struck a last-gasp winner against Sunderland in this final last season. A small number of representatives from both clubs were the only 'fans' this year, and the barking of orders and support from those in Wycombe tracksuits demonstrated the togetherness that had got them to this stage.

It was surreal that no crowd were able to watch Wycombe in one of the biggest games in their history. But even with the backdrop of red seats, broken up by some flags and cardboard crowdies, at an end of Wembley usually reserved for their rivals, Wycombe had the perfect start.

Jacobson's deep corner, a trademark feature of the left-back, landed into the path of Anthony Stewart. An attempted punch clear from an Oxford defender on the line failed to stop the ball from hitting the net.

The sheer noise coming from the few in the stands, and the bench who sprinted down to celebrate pitchside, provided some normal to a bizarre experience. Wycombe's dominance was clear and their belief clearer; Fred Onyedinma's swerving effort from range nearly got the better of Simon Eastwood in the Oxford net on 17 minutes as they pushed for a second.

The drinks break came just as Oxford were starting to work a way into the contest. They were seeing more of the ball and finding men in the opposition half. Karl Robinson's side were failing to find opportunities to test Ryan Allsop though and Wycombe remained in control.

Stewart's strike held huge importance but a block at the other end, with ten minutes remaining of the half, was just as crucial. Oxford's counter attack saw Mark Sykes played in at the edge of the box and his low cross was aiming to find Matt Taylor at the back, post but the Wycombe defender was there to make a block for his side to clear. Without him, Oxford would have almost certainly had their equaliser.

The game being staged behind-closed-doors did not mean it was a quiet affair. The Wycombe shouts of encouragement were matched by Oxford's clear frustration; that was perhaps the best indicator for which side enjoyed the first-half more.

Wycombe's 27% possession during the first 45 minutes was no break from the norm. They sat 23rd for average possession during the regular season while Oxford were first. The same rank applied to both teams for passing and passing sequence but it wasn't an issue for the outsiders. They were able to play their way and it gave them the lead at the break.

The second-half followed a similar flow to the first but Oxford looked more threatening and, with 56 minutes on the clock, they had their equaliser. Sykes' cross aimed to find one of his arriving teammates but instead, the ball floated over the outstretched Allsop and into the far corner.

The goal turned Wycombe excitement into trepidation as Oxford found their flow and, five minutes after the equaliser, they should have gone ahead. James Henry's low cross appeared set to be met by Taylor at the back post but he failed to connect as the ball rolled behind for a goal-kick and Ainsorth's men breathed a collective sigh of relief.

In need of some composure, Ainsworth introduced Adebayo Akinfenwa; an experienced striker who is a popular member of the Wycombe squad.

Oxford were pushing but Allsop wasn't to be beaten at the far post this time as he shuffled across to push away Rob Dickie's close range header on 65 minutes. From the resulting corner, the Wycombe keeper was there again to make an excellent save and deny Dickie low to his right.

The second drinks break of the evening came as a relief for a Wycombe side who were now on the back foot. Their comfortable first-half had long gone and they were now left trying to keep out an opponent who were camped inside their half. The 'phew' that was Tweeted from the Wycombe account showed what all those in blue were feeling, whether they were in attendance or not.

And yet, minutes after the break, Wycombe had their biggest chance of the contest when they were awarded a penalty. Elliott Moore was unaware of Onyedinma's presence behind him as he left a long ball over the top. The Wycombe man nudged it around Eastwood who wiped him out inside the area. It was a delayed call, but an easy one to make for referee Robert Jones as he pointed to the spot.

Up stepped the influential Jacobson. He had a penalty saved in the semi-final but made no mistake on the biggest stage of them all as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. With just over ten minutes of normal time remaining, Wycombe had the lead back.

The whole passage of play was sloppy from Oxford. Marcus Browne missed the opportunity to go one-on-one as he stood appealing for a throw-in before the pass was then played over the top. Had Moore been alert to the man running in behind, he would have surely headed away to safety.

Oxford were looking for an equaliser and came close when Taylor rose highest to direct a header towards goal in the 85th minute. Much to the relief of those vocal Wycombe representatives in the Wembley seating, the effort was straight at Allsop.

Again, Oxford pushed. Taylor's pull-back was cut out again by Stewart while another header was denied by the goalkeeper. The directors were on their feet; a chorus of 'Chairboys, barmy army' trying to help their side get over the line.

They were given an extra five minutes of additional time to find another equaliser. Taylor continued to look the main threat but Allsop was level to everything Oxford could throw at him, and Wycombe held on.

Against all the odds, Wanderers will line-up as a Sky Bet Championship side next season.