A flange connection for an exhaust section of a gas turbine engine. The flange connection includes a stub flange attached to an exhaust manifold. The stub flange has a first axial face for engagement with the axial face of a cylinder flange extending radially from an exhaust cylinder. A plate structure attached to the cylinder flange is configured to provide axial retention of the stub flange to the axial face of the cylinder flange. The plate structure includes a resilient beam portion extending radially inwardly and engaging a second axial face of the stub flange. The stub flange is retained between the cylinder flange and the beam portion of the plate structure in an interference fit to provide three degrees of freedom of the stub flange relative to the exhaust cylinder.