Dorking Wanderers 3 Ebbsfleet United 2 aet match report: National League South play-off final

All eyes were on referee Jason Richardson’s timekeeping as Ebbsfleet were denied promotion to the National League in dramatic fashion on Saturday.

The Fleet thought they had won their play-off final at Dorking Wanderers thanks to Craig Tanner’s 92nd-minute goal.

But Dorking levelled in the 99th minute - when Fleet fans thought the final whistle should have long been blown.

Dorking then won it in extra-time thanks to Alfie Rutherford’s 36th goal of the season.

The Fleet were beaten 5-1 at Dorking when the teams met in the league in January, and boss Kutrieb’s side reflected that game to a degree.

He made two changes from the semi-final win over Chippenham, bringing in Joe Martin to add defensive steel down the left as well as the legs of Alfie Egan in midfield.

Dorking made one change from the side that defeated Oxford City in their semi-final, with Dan Gallagher replacing Ed Harris.

Just as they did in the league clash, the Fleet settled quickest and dominated the early exchanges. Jack Paxman fed Rakish Bingham inside the fifth minute but the Fleet striker was unable to keep his balance and get a shot away.

Chris Solly’s left-wing corner hit the top of the crossbar and Sido Jombati headed wide Ben Chapman’s centre - all inside the first 10 minutes.

The Fleet were guilty of trying to walk the ball in following a counter attack. Chapman crossed to the far post and Paxman tried to put it on a plate for his team-mate instead of going for goal at the far post.

Ebbsfleet’s dominance was rewarded on 22 minutes, a perfectly weighted ball behind Jordan Cheadle by the impressive Paxman sent Bingham through on goal and he took his time before firing low beyond Dan Lincoln.

Dorking twice responded in similar fashion, getting behind