DARTFORD booked their place in the Conference South play-off final with a 2-1 home win over Basingstoke in a game which sparked into life in the second half.
The Darts held a narrow 1-0 advantage from the opening leg at The Camrose on Wednesday and this promised to be an exciting, yet nail-biting, affair for both sides with the opportunity of promotion into the Conference Premier the big prize on offer.
Early nerves were apparent as both sides were guilty of mistimed challenges and misplaced passing, but it was the visitors who had the best efforts of the opening period.
Striker Delano Sam-Yorke went closest as he almost latched onto a mishap between Darts defender Tom Bonner and keeper Louis Wells before slotting into the side netting.
While the first half would have struggled to remain in the memories of many, the second 45 minutes was a joy to behold.
Whatever Tony Burman said at half-time worked wonders as the Darts came out with an intention to score early and they did so after 55 minutes when Elliot Bradbrook headed past visiting keeper Ashley Bayes from a precise Adam Green free-kick.
Minutes later from an identical free-kick, the lead was almost doubled as Green again fired in a cross which was headed narrowly wide by captain Bradbrook.
The goal was thoroughly deserved, so it came as a shock when the Dragons scored a stunning equaliser against the run of play on 66 minutes.
Following a brief spell of Basingstoke pressure, the ball found its way to Shaun McAuley who unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top left corner to stun the Princes Park faithful into silence.
The Darts were not to be denied, however, as four minutes later following an incredible bundle in the area the referee ruled the ball had crossed the line as both Danny Harris and Luke Wilkinson turned away in celebration.
This decision incensed the visitors and led to keeper Bayes receiving a yellow card for his protestations to the assistant referee.
The drama was not yet over as Sam-Yorke thought he had equalised before seeing his header ruled offside, a decision that prompted a disgruntled Basingstoke fan to protest with the referee on the pitch before being removed by security.
And the Basingstoke striker was dismissed minutes later for a rash late challenge on James Rogers.
Dartford will host Welling in the final next Sunday after a 0-0 draw for the Wings with Sutton booked a derby final with their neighbours and rivals.
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Dartford: Wells, Burns, Green, Bonner, Wilkinson, Champion, Noble, Rogers, Erskine (Garrod 86), Bradbrook, Harris. Subs not used: Hayes, Goodacre, Graham, Young.
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