HOW often as a player do you get the chance to play at Wembley?

Well, as any seasoned professional will tell you, not often.

However, Ebbsfleet had the opportunity to make it to the hallowed turf for the second consecutive season having won the FA Trophy last year.

Fleet were trailing 3-2 from the first leg but were facing a Stevenage side which had not lost in their previous 20 games.

They also had the prolific Steve Morison in the forward line, who has hit an impressive 26 goals so far this season.

The previous league meeting between the two sides ended in 4-0 win for Liam Daish’s side.

But that was back in August and Borough have come a long way since then, climbing up to fifth in the table and looking good for a play-off spot.

A large crowd gathered at Stonebridge Road and it wasn’t too surprising when the announcement came over the tannoy the game had been delayed by 10 minutes in order to give the home supporters a chance to see what might unfold.

Borough had a good backing themselves, with around 700 supporters making the journey down.

In a lively opening, Ebbsfleet midfielder Stacy Long had a second minute corner punched clear by former Crystal Palace keeper Chris Day.

Long whipped the ball in at pace and Day had to be sharp to clear the danger.

Stevenage had a penalty appeal turned down on six minutes when Mitchell Cole went down in the box under a challenge from defender Leon Crooks, but referee Simon Hooper waved away the midfielder’s claims.

The opening exchanges gave a good insight into what was to follow for the remainder of the first half.

There was plenty of chances and endeavour from both teams but no final product as the crowd was sensed one goal could very well win this game.

The home supporters grew frustrated as Mr Hooper seemed to be getting simple decisions wrong and denying Fleet the chance to press further for the all important goal.

Just before the break, it was Borough that were smarting at the officials as a neat one-two between Lee Boylan and David Bridges saw the latter calmly slot home, only to see the linesman rule him offside.

Ebbsfleet came out in the second half all guns blazing but they just couldn’t find a way past Day.

Leon Crooks, Ricky Shakes, and more notably Luke Moore, all missed gilt-edged chances for the home side, as it seemed more like a case of when rather than if for Fleet.

The final 10 minutes saw Ebbsfleet throw everything but the proverbial kitchen sink at Borough, but they were leaving themselves wide open for the counter attack.

Unfortunately one of those attacks finally killed their hopes of a day out at Wembley.

Substitute Peter Vincenti was found in acres of space and drifted inside Sacha Opinel before calmly slotting home an injury time winner.

Stevenage will go on and meet York City in the final, while Fleet must now ensure they are still a Conference side come August.

Ebbsfleet United: Cronin, Opinel, Crooks, Smith, Long, Gash, Ricketts, Shakes (Purcell 84), Moore, Charles, Sole (Cumbers 67). Subs not used: Mott, Slatter, Stevens. Att: 3,008.