MALTON-BORN manager Brian Dutton is celebrating after guiding his team to promotion to the Vanarama National League South.
Dutton’s Salisbury overcame AFC Totton on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Southern League Premier Division South play-off final.
The 39-year-old, who played for Brooklyn Juniors before moving to Pickering Town, had guided the Whites to a third-placed finish during the regular season, with Totton finishing two points, and one place, above them.
Late goals were the story of Salisbury’s play-off campaign, with Josh Hedges’ 87th minute goal and a Noah Coppin penalty in injury time seeing them beat Gosport Borough 2-1 in their semi final.
Their play-off final also sprung into action late on, with Tony-James Lee seeing hosts Totton break the deadlock with just nine minutes left to play.
But a Coppin penalty in the dying seconds, after a handball from former captain Charlie Kennedy, forced the tie into extra time.
Hedges was again on target as Salisbury took the lead for the first time with 104 minutes played, but Ethan Taylor’s goal with full time beckoning ensured spot-kicks would ultimately decide promotion.
The Whites had been involved in one penalty shootout earlier in the campaign against Gosport in the FA Trophy - but needed better luck after netting just one of their four attempts that day.
Totton stepped up first, but former Salisbury goalkeeper Josh Gould saw his shot saved by Ryan Gosney, the man who replaced him in February.
Coppin then fired home his second penalty of the day, followed by Hedges, then captain Sido Jombati, and finally Owen Dore.
Lee took the deciding penalty for Totton but a firm glove from Gosney sealed the Whites’ promotion 4-3.
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