HARTLEY Wintney FC ensured that their amazing season became even more amazing !!.

The Row have now progressed to the Play -Off final thanks to two first half goals and some resolute defending in the early part of the second half.

Hartley Wintney will now play at home to Cambridge City on Monday May 7 (3pm).

The winners will join Basingstoke in the Southern League Premier Division.

The OD’s forced a corner in the first minute. Cristian Taverner’s flag kick found Drew Roberts at the back post who directed his effort just wide. Hartley settled and their first effort came on five minutes when a powerful shot from 25 yards by Steven Duff was parried by Dunstable’s keeper Jamie Head.

The Row took the lead on 9 minutes. A free kick was awarded in a central area some 25 yards from goal. Dean Stow stepped up and with a swish of his wand; that is his right boot; he saw his low shot nestling in the corner of the net.

A minute later Hartley had a scare when a shot from Bernie Christie found Row keeper losing his footing in attempting to save but he recovered well to hold on to the ball.

The match had a number of stoppages and the visitors held a slight edge in play. However it was the Row who added a second on 30 minutes following a mistake by OD’s keeper Head. A long clearance from Josh Webb saw Head rush from goal to clear outside the area. The keeper missed his kick and Nic Ciardini accepted the ‘gift’ by scoring into an empty net from a difficult angle.

AFC Dunstable finished the half on top forcing a number of set piece situations but unable to test Strudley in the Hartley goal.

The OD’s started the second half on the front foot in an effort to get back into the game. A number of corners and free kicks were well dealt with by the Row defence and in particular Liam Eagle and Jack Ball.

On 53 minutes a dangerous corner from Newman Carney found the head of substitute Jermaine Hall whose effort went just over the bar. A minute later Hall set up Bernie Christie for a run in on goal. The striker saw his shot from a difficult angle go into the side netting.

Dunstable continued with their onslaught and the Row were relieved when keeper Strudley made three excellent catches on dangerous corners.

Hartley came more into the game at the half way point of the half and on 66 minutes a collision between Jake Baxter and the OD’s keeper Head give Nick Ciardini a chance. The striker was unable to direct his effort on goal.

With the OD’s challenge beginning to fade more chances came the way of Hartley. On 72 minutes Steven Duff presented an opportunity to Nic Ciardini who shot wide.

Dunstable responded and on 76 minutes Louis Bircham created space for himself and his shot from 20 yards found Strudley well positioned to save. Three minutes later the Row had a chance to seal the win when Ciardini did well to set up Jake Baxter who blazed wide and high when well placed.

Hartley finished strongly and a good move down the left involving Josh Webb and Nic Ciardini saw a chance for Paul Hodges who saw his effort from 15 yards deflected over the crossbar.

Five minutes of added time were played. In the first minute a long back pass from full back Brett Langden deceived Jamie Head and seemed to clip the post averting a bizarre own goal.

In the last minute of added time Ty Smith and Dec.Shuttleworth combined well to cross for Dean Stow who saw his effort go over the bar.

The final whistle sounded and Hartley left the field to applause from the vast bulk of the bumper crowd of 310. In the clubhouse after the match Liam Eagle received the award of ‘Man of the Match’.

Joint manager Dan Brownlie said: "I thought we defended well with Liam Eagle and Jack Ball dominant in the centre of defence.

"Josh Webb had an excellent game in midfield and must have run miles this evening.

"We thought it was important that we played to our strengths against AFC Dunstable as we did in the two previous meetings. They are a good side and difficult to play against.

"We were extremely proud of our players this evening.

"We are grateful to the people who came and supported us. The village have got behind our efforts. The support has been there throughout the entire season.

"Finally a huge thank you once again to the helpers and volunteers who done so much today and all season to make the club tick along."