Steve Torpey
Former Scunthorpe striker on BBC Radio Humberside

I'm sure some of the less experienced players will look at the likes of Danny Whitehall, Callum Roberts, Will Evans and see their body language.

Hopefully, they'll give off a nice, positive vibe and be quite relaxed about tonight. Hopefully that experience will stand them in good stead. It is a pressure game - it's the quarter-final of a play-off.

Glenn Pennyfather
Former Southend midfielder on BBC Radio Essex

I'm as excited as the fans. It's unbelievable. It's a great atmosphere. These are the nights you miss playing.

I've got a pretty good feeling about it. Don't want to say too much, don't want to tempt fate, but really looking forward to it.

Steve Torpey
Former Scunthorpe striker on BBC Radio Humberside

People say these are the days you work for. They do come with added pressure, but considering where they were last season getting promotion, to kick on and get into the play-offs is a great achievement.

You can't underestimate that, they've done ever so well. You just want to go that next step, get to Rochdale, then a final at Wembley and ultimately get promotion.

There will be some nerves, but a lot of these players were in this position last season, so hopefully that will help them,

Image source, Opta

Southend make five changes to the side that beat Wealdstone on the final day of the season.

Harry Taylor, Gus Scott-Morriss, Harry Boyes, Oliver Coker and Andy Dallas come back into the starting XI.

Sam Austin, Ben Goodliffe, Jack Bridge, Leon Chambers-Parillon and Charley Kendall move to the bench.

Callum Roberts is back into the starting XI to captain Scunthorpe for tonight's match.

He's one of three changes from their loss to Eastleigh alongside the returns of Jean Belehouan and Patrick Jones.

Declan Howe, Connor Smith and Ross Barrows are all available as substitutes.

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Can Southend finally break past Scunthorpe's defence this evening and advance to the National League play-off semi-finals?

Or will the Iron make it a hat-trick of victories against their opponents?

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Southend finished one place higher in the National League this season than last, but can they go a step further in their play-off campaign?

The Shrimpers missed out on promotion after losing the 2025 play-off final in extra time against Oldham.

However, tonight's opponents might be the trickiest of all for the visitors - Scunthorpe are the only team Southend failed to score against this season.

Despite the Essex club finishing the season with four wins from five matches, Shrimpers head coach Kevin Maher said the form book will not necessarily have a bearing on the match.

"There will be a good atmosphere, the crowd will be right on top of you there," he told BBC Radio Essex.

"Everything else goes out the window. We've seen being involved with it, what it looks like. So be prepared, be ready for the team they pick, and be ready for what might happen."

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Scunthorpe United returned to the National League after winning the National League North play-offs last season, but back-to-back promotions would not have been on many people's cards.

Fast forward a year and they have given themselves the chance to break into the EFL, with three potential play-off victories in their sights, all against strong opposition.

The Iron are feeling confident about their chances too, especially against tonight's opponents Southend United after completing a league double over them this season.

However, there are still a few doubters who think this evening's encounter at the Attis Arena will be their last hurrah. Not that boss Andy Butler is listening, however.

"We were probably predicted fifth or sixth bottom and it never affected us, in fact, we thrive on it," Butler told BBC Radio Humberside.

"Everyone overlooks our capabilities, overlooks what we are trying to do. I know Southend won't because they've got a good manager.

"It's alright the bookies saying that we are underdogs, but who would have thought Leicester City would have won the [Premier] League and be relegated [to League One] 10 years later. Bookies are there to be upset."

Tonight's match between Scunthorpe and Southend marks the first of two qualifying matches before our semi-finalists are decided.

Here is the schedule for this season's National League play-offs:

Wednesday, 29 April (qualifier)

Boreham Wood v Forest Green Rovers (19:45 BST)

Sunday, 3 May (Semi-finals)

Carlisle United v Boreham or FGR (12:30 BST)

Rochdale v Scunthorpe or Southend (15:00 BST)

Sunday, 10 May (Final)

Semi-final winners meet at Wembley Stadium (15:00 BST)

Rochdale's heartache was York's glee as Josh Stones netted a 113th-minute equaliser to earn the Minstermen automatic promotion on the final day of the regular season.

The Dale now await the winner in tonight's fixture between Scunthorpe and Southend, who finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Scunthorpe won both regular season meetings between the sides, but they were only separated by a point in the final standings. Southend will be hoping to make it third time lucky this campaign.

York City were promoted to League Two in dramatic fashion on Saturday. the question now is who will join them?

Scunthorpe United take on last season's National League play-off finalists Southend United this evening in a play-off qualifier, with the winner set to face runners-up Rochdale in the semi-finals on Sunday.

So who will advance tonight?

The build-up is coming your way.