Sweeney’s League One hopes very much alive

PIERCE Sweeney’s hopes of playing League One football are still very much alive, whilst Darren Randolph’s future may have been decided last night.

Exeter City right-back Sweeney had a solid game during his side’s 0-0 stalemate against Lincoln City in the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final.

The ex-Bray Wanderers man - who was a marauding centre-half in his Seagulls days - will hope Exeter will go one better in the second leg at St. James’ Park tomorrow (Thursday) night.

Should they overcome Lincoln, they will then face Coventry City or Notts County in the final at Wembley Stadium on Monday, May 28.

Exeter got to the play-off final in the 2016/17 campaign but lost out 2-1 against Blackpool.

The Grecians went into the playoffs having finished fourth, four points off automatic promotion.

Darren Randolph was also harbouring hopes of promotion but those ambitions were hanging in the balance going into last night’s semi-final second leg at Villa Park.

The pair met at the Riverside Stadium and Randolph could do nothing to stop Mile Jedinak from heading home Jack Grealish’s 15th minute corner. Tony Pulis’ side had chances to level matters, while Randolph kept them in it.

Last night’s result was unavailable at the time of going to print but should ‘Boro have overturned the 0-1 deficit, they’d face Derby County/Fulham in Wembley on May 26 which would presumably rule the 31-year-old (as of May 12th) out of Ireland’s friendly with France - a sacrifice Randolph would presumably be happy to make.