Steve Watt felt Hythe Town’s dramatic play-off semi-final victory at Ramsgate epitomised their season.

The Cannons, who won their final six games to finish in the Isthmian South East top five, beat runners-up Ramsgate 4-3 on penalties last night after a 1-1 draw.

Frannie Collin’s penalty took the tie to spot-kicks after Theo Osinfolarin drew first blood for the hosts in extra-time as Hythe refused to give in.

Keeper Steve Phillips went on to save twice in the shoot-out to set up a final at Whitehawk on Friday night.

“It’s probably a game that epitomised our season,” said Cannons boss Watt.

“Never die, never know when we’re beat, find a way, and I think that’s what the boys did.

“They’re out on their feet. They’ve given everything. Every ounce of themselves, they’ve given tonight to get through to the final. I couldn’t be more proud of the boys for what they’ve done. It’s incredible.

“I knew Ramsgate would have spells on the ball in certain areas.

“You expect to come under pressure coming to a place like this but as I said to the boys, we’ve been playing this football for the last six games so it’s fine, it’s not a problem.

“I kept reiterating that message throughout the game, that this was us, we live for this type of game, this type of moment, and just keep working hard and doing the right things.

“By the second half of extra-time I always felt let’s take it to penalties because I didn’t think we had enough to maybe win it in extra-time but I backed my keeper and boys to win a penalty shoot-out.

“You look at the penalties we’ve taken.

“There wasn’t an ounce of nerves on any penalty. Every penalty was superb, hit with conviction and Steve’s made those two saves to get us through.

“Did we play great? No, but you don’t have to play great to win a game of football.

“You’ve got to score more goals than the opposition or in this case you’ve got to restrict the opposition as much as you can.

“We got a bit of luck as well because I thought the penalty was soft if I’m being honest but you get your luck sometimes and we got it tonight.”

Ramsgate substitute Osinfolarin edged Jamie Coyle’s side in front four minutes into extra-time.

But a controversial penalty award, after a coming-together between Rams keeper Patrick Lee and Cannons forward Johan Caney-Bryan, saw Collin step up for the equaliser.

“I honestly thought the first goal would win it and I thought we we were going to get it in that first 30 minutes of the second half, when we were on top,” said Watt.

“One goal normally settles a game like this but the boys do what they do.

“They just don’t know when they’re beat. They keep coming back.

“Look at the goal. It looked like Johan ran from the car park to get across the keeper.

“I don’t know where he came from but it’s just that desire to chase every ball and fight for everything that gets you little bits you maybe deserve along the way.

“There’s never going to be anyone else in Kent, in England, who was going to take that penalty other than Fran.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him for what he’s done for me this season, what he did tonight.

“At 35 he’s back in our box winning headers, making blocks and tackles in box.”