Folkestone reached the Ryman League Division 1 South play-off final with a dramatic extra-time win over Hastings on Tuesday night.

The semi-final at the Fullicks Stadium looked destined for a penalty shootout, with the sides locked together at 2-2 with just seven minutes left.

But then a Josh Vincent effort took a huge deflection off a Hastings player and looped over U's keeper Josh Pelling to send the majority of the bumper crowd wild.

Folkestone will be at home to Leatherhead in the final on Saturday.

They made a perfect start against United, Frankie Chappell heading home Matt Newman's excellent left-wing cross for the opening goal in the eighth minute.

Invicta were bossing the game and Hastings looked like rabbits caught in the headlights.

Johan ter Horst had a great chance to make it 2-0, latching onto Michael Yianni's through-ball but failing to hit the target when most inside the ground expected the net to bulge.

Liam Friend headed over from a Dane Luchford corner and the home side went close again when superb hold-up play by Paul Booth set up Luchford for a cross-shot which Hastings only just scrambled clear.

But the visitors gradually started to have an impact. Russell Eldridge drilled two shots wide with his left foot as the men in light blue shirts pushed forward.

Booth, though, went close at the other end, beating two players on the edge of the Hastings box and forcing a good low save from Pelling.

Neil Cugley's side survived a couple of scares just before half-time, notably when Sam Adams shot straight at Tim Roberts after finding himself in a great position on the edge of the penalty area.

But the home side failed to heed these warnings and just four minutes into the second period, former Tonbridge and Maidstone player Tim Olorunda bundled in a right-wing cross to make it 1-1.

Hastings got themselves into good positions but they couldn't press home their advantage.

Booth then laid on two chances for Luchford. He sliced the first wide of the near post and was then thwarted by Pelling, who dived at his feet to smother the second.

But Folkestone were about to retake the lead. Hastings lost possession on the halfway line and the dangerous ter Horst pounced, racing away from one defender and turning past another before laying the ball across for Luchford to shoot beyond Pelling.

The home fans roared their approval but soon the travelling contingent were cheering again. Adams tried his luck from 20 yards and his terrific strike flew past Roberts' right hand before nestling in the bottom corner.

Vincent went closest to winning the game for Invicta inside 90 minutes but his swerving shot from 35 yards was pushed behind by Pelling.

Chances were few and far between in extra-time, with neither side wanting to lose the game - and see their season end - at such an advanced stage.

It was Hastings who looked the likelier scorers as time ticked away, but then came Folkestone's moment of good fortune. Vincent was announced as the goalscorer but the identity of the unfortunate Hastings player matters not - because Folkestone are now just 90 minutes away from promotion.

Folkestone: Roberts, Vincent, Elliott, Friend, Chappell, Newman, Yianni, Luchford (J Everitt 89mins), ter Horst, Booth (Stevenson 99mins), M Everitt (Edge 111mins). Subs not used: Coyne, Austin.

Hastings: Pelling, Darby, Cruttwell (O'Connor 105mins), Olorunda, Judge, Toney (Ferguson 99mins), Hassan, Bachellier (Pogue 73mins), Sawyer, Adams, Eldridge. Subs not used: Oyinsan, Nessling.

Attendance: 951.