RACING Club Warwick stunned Carlton Town on penalties to reach the play-off final with the Racers 90 minutes away from promotion.
The Racers went into the semi-final as underdogs after Carlton finished 25 points above Warwick in the league table.
However, following a goalless 90 minutes and extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout at the Bill Stokeld Stadium.
And Warwick held their nerve to stun the league runners-up and reach the Northern Premier League Midlands play-off final with a 4-2 victory on spot kicks.
The Racers only secured a play-off place on the final day of the season.
Warwick beat already-relegated St Neots Town 2-0 on the last day to clinch a top-five finish after play-off rivals Coleshill Town could only draw at AFC Rushden and Diamonds.
And the Racers made the most of their chance against league runners-up Carlton who missed out on the league title by just two points from champions Anstey Nomads.
However, Warwick thumped Carlton 4-0 at Townsend Meadow back in September and played out a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in the two league meetings between the teams.
The Racers held firm again to frustrate Carlton throughout with neither side able to break the deadlock in regulation time.
And with the scores still level at the end of extra time, penalties would decide the contest.
Both teams scored their first two penalties before Tom Allsopp saved Carlton’s third spot kick and Ryan Andrews scored the next penalty to put Warwick in front in the shootout.
Carlton then missed their fourth penalty to leave the Racers one kick from victory as Cameron Ebbutt duly converted from the spot to send the Racers into the play-off final.
The other semi-final saw Belper Town upset Basford United on penalties following a 2-2 draw at the end of extra time.
Racing Club Warwick travel to Belper on Saturday, May 2 with kick-off at 3pm at the Raygar Stadium.
