Dover Athletic suffered Blue Square Bet South play-off final heartbreak at Salisbury City on Sunday, going out 3-2 after extra-time.

After a cagey first-half the game had looked up for Whites after first Ricky Wellard curled a superb 25 yard free-kick into the corner to give the hosts the lead three minutes into the second half and then Daryl McMahon was sent-off in the dying moments for a second bookable offence.

However in the final minute of normal time the visitors snatched a leveller when a fizzing free-kick from Lloyd Harrington was deflected past wrong-footed keeper Willem Puddy, with Ian Simpemba appearing to claim the goal.

The equaliser teed-up a tense period of extra-time but just eight minutes in Salisbury exploited their man advantage when a through-ball was threaded inside left-back Tom Wynter for Stuart Sinclair to run in and dink a sumptuous chip over the advancing Mitchell Walker and into the net from a tight angle.

The finish was worthy of winning any game and sent the majority of the 3,408 present wild, however there was more to come and after Walker had superbly tipped a sharp volley onto the post after the change of ends, he was beaten for a third time by a dipping volley from 25 yards by James White six minutes into the second period.

The hosts continued to dominate possession as Dover legs tired, but after Walker had denied Sinclair again and sub Daniel Fitchett had rasped just wide, the Dover keeper turned provider in the 29 minute of extra-time.

His long kick forward evaded the last defender allowing Billy Bricknell to run through and score at the second attempt after a block from Puddy to cue delirious celebrations from the 600-or-so travelling fans.

There was to be no grandstand finish however as seconds later the final whistle sparked a pitch invasion from the home fans, one of whom produced a flare, while the Dover players slumped to the turf in despair.

City will be promoted to the Conference National while Dover face another season in Blue Square Bet South.