RYAN Brunt’s extra-time goal sent 10-man Malvern Town into the play-off final for the second season running following a 2-1 win against Bishops Cleeve.
Brunt scored the winner six minutes from time at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium after Jake Lee’s late strike sent the game to an extra period.
That came after Joe Tumelty put Malvern ahead as the home side beat Bishops Cleeve at the semi-final stage for the second season in succession.
The Hillsiders had Dion Molyneux sent off in injury time but the 10-men of Malvern defied the odds to reach the play-off final.
The victory means Malvern will play in the Southern League Division One South play-off final once again after the Hillsiders tasted defeat against Evesham United last term.
And Malvern will have home advantage in the final with the Hillsiders the highest-ranked side left in the play-offs based on the league standings.
The drama began well before kick-off with Bishops Cleeve only awarded a play-off spot earlier this week.
The Southern League confirmed league runners-up Portishead Town had been relegated owing to the club not meeting stadium requirements at Step Four.
That meant Malvern, who finished third in the league table, would now play sixth-placed Bishops Cleeve rather than Winchester City who finished fourth.
However, the late change in opponents did not deter Lee Hooper’s side from extending their season to a further game.
Malvern appealed for a penalty early on after Levi Francis went down in the box under a challenge from Bishops Cleeve goalkeeper Sam Gilder.
The home side went close moments later as Luke Payne’s powerful drive went narrowly past the post.
Bishops Cleeve responded with a chance of their own when Ross Langworthy fired inches over the top from a tight angle.
Malvern goalkeeper Josh Bishop then punched Reegan Messenger’s deflected shot to safety with Harry Williams waiting to pounce.
The hosts almost broke the deadlock shortly before the break as Gilder tipped Sam Clark’s behind for a corner with the resulting set-piece cleared off the line.
And the Hillsiders went close again after the break when Gilder clawed Joe Bullock’s looping header to safety with the ball destined for the top corner.
Malvern eventually took the lead on 72 minutes when Tumelty’s corner found its way into the net.
However, Bishops Cleeve equalised with one minute left to play as Lee found the net to send the game to extra time.
The Hillsiders also had Molyneux sent off in injury time after the Malvern player hauled down Toby Holland with the latter through on goal.
Despite playing with a man less, Malvern reclaimed the lead on 114 minutes when Brunt forced a shot into the net through a crowd of bodies in the box.
And the Hillsiders held on in the remaining minutes to reach the play-off final for the second successive season.
The other semi-final saw Shaftesbury claim a 2-0 win away at Winchester to set up a final date with the Hillsiders.
Malvern host Shaftesbury in the play-off final on Monday, May 4 with kick-off at 3pm at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium.
