The 1987 Football League Third Division play-off final was an association football match contested by Gillingham and Swindon Town over two-legs on 22 May 1987 and 25 Mat 1987 to determine which club would play the next season in the second division. Gillingham had finished in fifth while Swindon finished in third as they both competed in the third division. They were joined in the play-offs by 21st place from the division above in Sunderland and Wigan Athletic who finished fourth that season. Gillingham defeated Sunderland in their play-off by away goals while Swindon Town defeated Wigan Athletic in the other play-off.[1]
The first leg of the final was played at Priestfield Stadium, in front of a crowd of 16,775. Dave Smith scored the only goal of the game to give Gillingham a one goal lead heading into the second leg. Three days later at County Ground, 14,382 people saw the match head into a replay after Karl Elsey scored the opening goal of the game in the 17th minute. This was followed by two goals from Peter Coyne and Charlie Henry to give Swindon the 2-1 victory in the match. This meant that a replay was held at the Selhurst Park where two goals from Steve White secured Swindon Town spot in the second division.
The following season, Swindon Town finished in 12th position in the second division while Gillingham finished the following season in the third division in 13th, only nine points ahead of the relegation zone.
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