Albion boss Mark McGhee admitted his side were the "luckiest on the planet" after their penalty shoot-out victory over Swindon.
He apologised to Swindon counterpart Andy King after Adam Virgo's incredible last-gasp goal took the game to penalties where Albion held their nerve to book their place in the Second Division play-off final.
McGhee said: "I thought we were absolutely dead and buried. We have mugged them but football's not always fair."
McGhee told Sky Sports: "I'm speechless because we've been absolutely hammered.
"They did not let us out, we didn't have enough to get at them and (Swindon manager) Andy King must be devastated. I don't know if I'll have to apologise to him.
"We are obviously delighted but I feel for them so much.
"We've mugged them. It's unbelievable. I said in my (programme) notes may the luckiest team win and we have to be the luckiest team on the planet."
King insisted Albion were fortunate to escape with a victory in the first leg, and he was no less cutting in his assessment this time around.
He said: "Of all the semi-finalists, the worst two clubs got through to the final. We were unlucky in the first leg and we were desperately unlucky tonight."
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