Huddersfield Town 0 Reading 0 (Huddersfield win 4-3 on pens) - Town promoted to Premier League

Danny Ward was once again Huddersfield’s hero as he saved Jordan Obita’s low penalty before Christopher Schindler held his nerve to give the Terriers a 4-3 win on penalties.

The two sides had not be separated over 120 minutes in a tense and largely underwhelming showpiece at Wembley.

Michael Hefele and Izzy Brown wasted glorious chances to give Huddersfield a dream start as the final was a cagey affair throughout.

Reading were content to play possession football and rarely threatened before captain Chris Gunter headed over in injury time.

Nahki Wells failed to hit the target from 12 yards in the second period of injury time as the match went to penalties.

And, after Hefele had seen his penalty saved, Reading’s Liam Moore blazed over before Jordan Obita saw his effort saved low by Ward.

Schindler showed no nerves as he smashed home the winning penalty to send the travlling Huddersfield support into raptures.

David Wagner maintained the same outfield players that had successfully dispatched of ednesday in the semi-finals with spotkick hero Danny Ward keeping his place between the sticks.

As they have done for much of the campaign, Huddersfield made a quick start out of the traps. Club favourite Michael Hefele almost headed them in front on five minutes as he met an Aaron Mooy free-kick, only to divert his header wide of the mark.

Izzy Brown then had similar fortunes with the goal at his mercy eight minutes in.Brown himself unmarked at the back post as Elias Kachunga tricked his way into the box, but the Chelsea loanee could only prod wide when it looked easier to score.

Reading began to disrupt Huddersfield’s flow with Joey van den Berg and Yann Kermorgant heading into referee Neil Swarbrick’s book for cynical fouls.

A Lewis Grabban curled effort was the best the Royals could muster in the opening 20 minutes as Ward was once again kept quiet – having been rarely tested during the semi-final win.

However, Ward had to be alert two minutes into the second half to keep John Swift out with a low save to his left.

Little could separate the sides as the second half progressed with Huddersfield attempting to make fast breaks, and the Royals content for a patient build-up.

Nahki Wells thumped a free-kick into the wall with 20 minutes to go before defensive rock Michael Hefele stopped a dangerous cross at the other end finding Lewis Grabban.

Hefele, a tower of strength in the Huddersfield back four, was one of a number of players to head into Neil Swarbrick’s book as the game continued to be fragmented by fouls.

With 15 minutes to go, Huddersfield had their best chance of the second period as Mooy galloped onto a Smith pass down the right. The Australian’s cross was intended to find Wells but substitute Collin Quaner nipped in and stubbed wide.

An injury to Town captain Tommy Smith, who was caught by Yann Kermorgant as he went to lash goalwards, delayed proceedings to a nervy finale

Reading’s captain Chris Gunter had a chance to win it for Reading in added time as he headed Garath McCleary’s header over the bar before Wells saw an effort dribble through to Al-Habsi with the final act of normal time.

Gareth McLearly and Wells shared chances in extra-time but the match headed to penalties in front of the Huddersfield support.

Yann Kermorgant, Chris Lowe, Daniel Williams all scored before Michael Hefele’s weak effort gave the Royals the advantage.

Liam Kelly and Wells traded blows before Liam Moore blazed over.

Aaron Mooy then restored parity before Obita saw his low effort saved and Schindler held his nerve to score the winner.