TOMMY Wright’s 118th minute penalty secured Salisbury FC a place in the play off final, after beating Evesham United 2-1.

Salisbury rued missed chances and could have had the game tied up well before extra time, especially after Evesham were down to 10-men just before half time.

Claudio Herbert gave the Whites the lead in the 53rd minute and they looked comfortable but, with five minutes of normal time to play, Evesham’s Adam Mann scored to take the game to extra time.

Wright had a penalty saved in the 97th minute, with keeper Kevin Sawyer making a great stop, but made no mistake dispatching the second penalty.

The Whites started the game the better side, creating plenty of chances, the best of the half falling to Wright, who managed to outpace the defender and was through on goal but his shot just crept past the far post.

Evesham went down to 10 men on 41 minutes when Ashley Williams went sliding in erratically on Elliot Wheeler, who had to be taken to hospital with a deep gash wound to his lower leg.

Williams pleaded his innocence but the referee was adamant, and produced the red.

It only took nine minutes into the second half for the Whites to take advantage of 10-man Evesham. Wheeler’s replacement, Herbert, scored with a low drive into the bottom left corner following a cross from the left which O’Keefe flicked on.

From then on, Steve Claridge’s side dominated and constantly peppered the Evesham goal, but keeper Sawyer was in fine form to keep the score at 1-0.

O’Keefe then came close on two occasions but couldn’t find a way past Sawyer. Taurean Roberts and Wright who also saw efforts saved.

But with five minutes to play, the 10-men of Evesham got themselves an equaliser. Striker Mann was played through on goal, and he dinked the ball over oncoming Alex Bass to take the game to extra time.

Just seven minutes after the restart, Salisbury were awarded a penalty after Leroy Odeiro brought down Wright in the box. But his effort was saved by Sawyer diving to his right.

Evesham were in the ascendency after the save and created some great chances. But Bass saved from Lance Smith and Eddie Perrett cleared off the line to keep the Whites in the game.

And with just two minutes to play before penalties, Claridge’s side were awarded a second spot kick after Liden Dovey and Mark Brown brought down Taurean Roberts in the box.

Up stepped Wright to score his 51st goal of the season, sealing victory for the Whites and earning them a place in the final.

Salisbury play Tiverton Town on Monday, May 1, at the Ray Mac at 3pm.