SALISBURY’s promotion dream is still alive and kicking after a nail-biting night at Old Sarum.
Steve Claridge’s Whites will host Tiverton Town in Monday’s (3pm) Southern One South & West play-off final thanks to a tense 2-1 extra-time win over ten-man Evesham United.
Evesham had Ashley Williams red-carded towards the end of a goalless first half for a challenge on Elliot Wheeler.
Salisbury cashed in with a 53rd-minute Claudio Herbert goal, but that was snuffed out by Adam Mann with five minutes of normal time remaining.
Extra time was a tale of two Tommy Wright penalties.
The first, awarded for Leroy Odeiro’s foul on Wright himself, was foiled by a fine save from former Salisbury keeper Kevin Sawyer.
The Whites survived a couple of scares before the referee pointed to the spot again, this time when Evesham skipper Linden Dovey tripped Taurean Roberts.
Bravely, ex-Otterbourne youngster Wright again stepped up to the spot with 119 minutes gone, the pressure piled on his young shoulders.
But the on-loan Sutton United hotshot made no mistake this time round, netting his 51st goal of the season to the delight of a 1,395 crowd.
Tiverton booked their ticket to the final with a 3-1 win over Taunton Town, who were also reduced to ten men. Levi Landricombe (2) and Tom Bath took Tivvy through.
*North Hampshire outfit Farnborough will host the Southern One Central final against Barton Rovers on Monday.
Ex-Eastleigh striker Jamie Cureton was among the goals in Borough’s 4-0 semi-final humbling of Egham Town. Perry Coles struck twice and ex-Havant man Scott Donnelly was also on target.
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