Swans 3 - Forest 1

STEPHEN Dobbie scored one and set up another as Swansea survived a late Nottingham Forest fightback to book their place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

The attacking midfielder, who helped shoot down the Reds at the same stage 12 months ago while on loan at Blackpool, was the man sacrificed after just four minutes of a goalless first leg at the City Ground last Thursday following Neil Taylor's dismissal.

But he proved worth his weight in gold — or at least the estimated £90million windfall for the team promoted to the Barclays Premier League on May 30 — in an open and electrifying encounter at a sold-out Liberty Stadium.

David McGoldrick and Fabio Borini had already hit the crossbar at either end before Dobbie's short corner set up Leon Britton for a stunning 28th-minute opener. The Scot then added a well-worked second shortly after to give battling Forest a mountain to climb.

Lewis McGugan's free-kick smacked the woodwork before former Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw threw them an 80th-minute lifeline.

And after Earnshaw dramatically hit a post in injury time, Darren Pratley sealed victory by finishing from inside his own half after Forest keeper Lee Camp had gone up for a corner.

It is the East Midlands side's fourth failed play-off attempt in nine seasons and a fourth for manager Billy Davies since 2005 having missed out twice with Preston and now with the Reds.

The Swans, 28 years after their only brief spell in the top flight, are looking to complete an astonishing six-year rise from the fourth tier and could now face a Wembley showdown with South Wales rivals Cardiff.

Davies went over to rouse the Forest support 15 minutes prior to kick-off, yet there was an electric atmosphere bellowing from all quarters of the Liberty as the two teams took to the field.

And it was the visitors who should have drawn first blood as early as the fifth minute, the unmarked McGoldrick clipping the top of the bar following a 40-yard run from pacy forward Tyson.

Both sides were using their livewire attacking men to good effect and Angel Rangel was next to waste a clear-cut opening, the Spaniard fluffing his lines from eight yards.

Swansea then went even closer as Borini's deflected strike off Wes Morgan smashed against the bar.

Chances were coming at either end and the deadlock in the tie was finally broken in the 28th minute.

Dobbie's short corner found Britton on the edge of the area, and the midfielder twice turned Tudgay inside out before planting an unstoppable shot into the far corner which left Camp stranded.

And within five minutes it was 2-0 as Dobbie turned goalscorer, playing a one-two with Nathan Dyer before nutmegging Luke Chambers and firing low across Camp.

Forest should have got a goal back within five minutes of the restart, Tudgay blazing over after another fine run from Tyson.

They came even closer to finding a route back in when McGugan rifled his 20-yard free-kick against the bar.

It was up to Forest to force the issue as the clash entered the final 25 minutes although Swansea were dangerous on the counter.

The visitors got the goal they craved 10 minutes from time through substitute Earnshaw, who drilled home Radoslaw Majewski's through ball.

The striker then hit a post in injury time before Pratley coolly clinched matters from inside his own half with Camp miles out of his goal.

BRENDAN Rodgers hailed his Swansea City heroes after victory over Nottingham Forest and declared: "Wembley will be like a home game."

Swansea will play in the Championship play-off final, the so-called richest game in football, after beating Forest 3-1 in a Liberty Stadium classic last night.

Goals from Leon Britton, Stephen Dobbie and Darren Pratley saw Swansea home 3-1 on aggregate after the goalless first leg.

And Rodgers insisted the whole city should be proud of a team who will battle either Reading or Cardiff for a place in the big time.

"This is a mammoth night in the club's history," said the Swansea manager. "The word for me is pride — pride for the club and pride in the players.

"We produced a brilliant performance over two legs and this game was as good as a final in terms of the quality on show from both sides. We will celebrate this for a couple of days, then we will focus on preparing for the final.

"I think Wembley will be like a home game for us. The quality of the pitch, the size of the field and the whole occasion will suit us."

Swansea rode their luck at times last night, and hearts were in mouths when Robert Earnshaw's goal made it 2-1 with ten minutes to go.

But Pratley's 50-yard stunner sealed Swansea's shot at Wembley glory after spectacular first-half strikes from Britton and Dobbie.

Rodgers celebrated his team's third goal in memorable fashion, sprinting down the touchline and high-fiving fans along the way.

"I think I got the goal-line quicker than the ball," he smiled.

"It's difficult to feel comfortable on the touchline in these games, and when Darren scored the emotion took over.

"The story of our season has been like that — dramatic and emotional. It has also been full of quality, and we have defended resolutely as well.

"Now we have the final part of the season to do — to go and win at Wembley."

Rodgers will be at the Cardiff City Stadium tonight to find out whether Swansea will face a Welsh derby in the final or a meeting with his old club.

"Reading is a club that means a lot to me — they gave me my chance in English football and I was there as a fan when they lost the play-off final to Bolton in 1995," he said.

"I don't mind if we get them or Cardiff, because this season has been all about us and that will be the same again. But if it is Cardiff, I might have to hide for a week and then come out on the day of the game."

GOAL hero Leon Britton savoured an "extraordinary" night at the Liberty Stadium as Swansea City clinched a place at Wembley.

Britton, who only returned to the club in January after a spell with Sheffield United, scored the first goal on a sensational evening to set Swansea on their way to victory over Nottingham Forest.

"I don't score many, especially with my left foot," said the midfielde

"It's an unbelievable feeling. The second half was extraordinary.

"They hit the bar and the post and then Darren (Pratley) sealed it."

Britton also hailed Pratley's sublime long-range effort in stoppage time, which sealed victory for Swansea.

"I was thinking he'd go to the corner flag, but to do that shows great composure and technique," he said.