EVESHAM United manager Paul Collicutt was left "heartbroken" after losing 2-1 to a last-gasp extra-time penalty at Salisbury in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West play-off semi-final.

The Robins produced a heroic effort with 10 men for 80 minutes following midfielder Ashley Williams' first-half red card for a lunging challenge on Elliot Wheeler.

Evesham contested the decision and also felt aggrieved at another extra-time penalty which was saved by impressive keeper Kevin Sawyer.

Adam Mann had levelled for United five minutes from time after Claudio Herbert put the Wiltshire hosts ahead in the second half.

Boss Collicutt said: “I am heartbroken. My players were absolutely magnificent and we find the decisions given against us very hard to take.

“I am hurting more now than any other result which has ever gone against me in my career. It hurts so badly.

"The lads gave their all and the support from our fans was brilliant.

“Despite being without six or seven key players, including a couple out for 12 months or so, we gave a performance I am immensely proud of. It speaks volumes for the character we have within the club.

“Salisbury made the better start but we grew into the game and by the end I am positive any neutral leaving the ground would have said we deserved to win.

“There were Salisbury fans coming up to me and saying there were injustices in the decisions and result. We looked fitter in extra-time despite playing so long with 10 men but I simply cannot believe some of the decisions given against us.

“Given some of the obstacles we have had to overcome this season we did incredibly well to even reach the play-offs. Everyone connected with the club worked their socks off for the cause and everyone in our dressing room shed some tears.”

Only fine saves from Sawyer kept league runners-up Salisbury out as it remained goalless at the break.

Claudio Herbert put the hosts ahead on 53 minutes with a low strike after a cross was not cleared.

Despite being down to 10 men Evesham outplayed their hosts and deservedly equalised when Mann produced a composed finish five minutes from time.

Top scorer Lance Smith, back from an ankle injury as a substitute, nodded just wide from Garyn Preen’s cross as the Robins went close to a late winner.

Eight minutes into extra-time Leroy Odiero was controversially punished for a challenge in the area on the speedy Tommy Wright.

Odeiro, Lorcan Sheehan and Matt Williams were all booked for their protests but Sawyer superbly denied Wright from the spot.

Evesham looked the more likely winners as midfielder Archie Haskayne and substitute Preen impressed with one of the latter's crosses cleared off the line by Eddie Perrett.

But with less than two minutes left Carl Brown was unable to cut out a long ball and Linden Dovey fouled Taurean Roberts in the box.

This time Wright sent Sawyer the wrong way with his penalty to book Salisbury a home final with Tiverton Town on Monday in the battle for promotion to the Premier Division.

Evesham: Sawyer, Dovey, M Williams, Odiero, Bryan (Smith 68), A Williams, Haskayne, Brown, Fahy (Preen 80), Mann, Magee (Sheehan 46). Subs not used: Stanley, Binns.

Attendance: 1,395.