Herne Bay 3 Haywards Heath Town 3 (Herne Bay win 6-5 on penalties): Isthmian South East play-off semi-final match report

An incredible Isthmian South East play-off semi-final saw Herne Bay beat Haywards Heath on penalties on Tuesday night after a 3-3 draw.

Kieron Campbell gave Bay the lead in the first half before Kieran Rowe converted a rebound having missed a penalty for Haywards Heath to make it level at the break.

Jack Parter gave the home team the lead once again before a crazy ending saw substitute Eddie Allsopp sent off and, despite this, Campbell made it 3-1, only for Heath to strike twice in stoppage-time to send the game to extra-time and, ultimately, to penalties.

But it is Bay who will play Ashford in Saturday’s final Kent derby showdown after Dan Johnson held his nerve in sudden death and Heath the bar with the decisive penalty, with Herne Bay winning 6-5 on penalties.

The visitors had the first chance inside 90 seconds at Winch’s Field in front of a massive crowd of 1,102, captain Byron Napper drilling wide from outside the area.

There was also an early stoppage in play inside the first five minutes. Bay wideman Rory Smith went down after a challenge by a Haywards Heath defender but Smith was fit to continue after getting treatment.

With nine minutes played, away man Jordy Ndozid became the first player to be booked by referee Scott Rudd after a late challenge on Smith.

Four minutes later, left-back Jack Parter, who had previously enjoyed Isthmian Premier play-off success with Tonbridge, sent his effort sailing well over.

Hitman Zak Ansah wasted the first massive opportunity of the encounter in the 14th minute as he ran on to a Campbell through-ball before he blazed over the bar.

But seconds later, midfielder Campbell gave the hosts the lead with a fine goal.

He cut inside and bent a curling shot past Haywards Heath