Hartley Wintney to face AFC Dunstable in play-offs on Wednesday

With the winners taking on winners of the Hayes and Yeading against Cambridge City game on Monday May 7 (3pm).

The Row finished in fourth place in the table in their first season in the division after losing 4-3 to Aylesbury United in their final league game.

Before the match the Hartley Wintney Supporters' Player of the Year was presented to Paul Hodges, with goalkeeper Paul Strudley second and captain Dean Stow third.

A big crowd of 231 saw Hartley start brightly and they had four early chances.

The first was from Nic Ciardini on three minutes and he saw his effort saved by Ducks goalie Jack Hopwood.

Then Paul Hodges linked up well with Jack French but saw his parting shot go wide.

The third opportunity came on seven minutes when Hodges and Josh Webb combined to tee up French who fired wide.

The last of the chances came when Ciardini released Hodges through the middle.

The striker elected to lob over Hopwood but a retreating defender managed to get back and clear off the line.

Aylesbury were not without chances either and Aaron Berry and Jeanmal Prosper gave a chance to Ben Seaton who shot over on nine minutes.

The Row continued on the front foot and Dean Stow’s cross found Ciardini who saw his effort from close range saved by Hopwood.

A Stow free-kick on 19 minutes looked net bound but just skimmed the crossbar.

Soon after, Paul Hodges created a chance for himself but saw his parting shot saved.

Five minutes later a Steven Duff cross found Ciardini who set up Hodges who fired over.

On 34 minutes the visitors who played some enterprising football opened the scoring against the general run of play.

Prosper made good progress down the right and his cross found Sonny French who fired home from the edge of the box.

French almost added another six minutes later when some loose play in the home defence allowed him a shot which was saved by Paul Strudley in the Row goal.

On the stroke of half time Hartley pulled level.

A Stow cross found the head of Hodges and his header was parried by Hopwood.

Jack French following in bundled the ball over the line (1-1)

There was still time for the Ducks to go close when Sonny French tried a snap shot from the edge of the box which hit the post.

In an all action second half the visitors were first to settle and took the lead on 50 minutes.

Ollie Hogg made good progress through midfield and his incisive pass to Aaron Berry saw the striker fire home off the post from 18 yards.

The Row responded and a quick free-kick from Duff gave Ciardini a chance to run in on goal. The strikers parting shot went across the face of the goal.

Play moved to the other end and the Ducks made good progress through midfield which culminated with Strudley making a good stop from Seaton on 54 minutes.

Aylesbury were playing confidently. A long free kick was only partially cleared and fell to Seaton who saw his goal bound effort blocked.

On 70 minutes Paul Hodges and Steven Duff combined to set up a chance for the former which was saved by Hopwood.

However Hodges was not to be denied and on 76 minutes he scored the equaliser. Nic Ciardini made a forceful run in from the left and his shot was blocked.

The ball broke to Hodges who fired home from close range.

The Row went all out for the winner but were caught out on 79 minutes by a sucker punch.

A long clearance was chased by Ben Seaton who managed to beat Strudley to the ball and head over the stranded keeper and into the net.

Hartley pressed for the equaliser and Liam Eagle headed over an Adam Everiss corner on 81 minutes.

Then Hodges set up Ciardini who was just unable to force the ball in from close range.

On 87 minutes Aylesbury made the game safe when Berry tried his luck from 30 yards.

His well struck shot deceived Strudley and the keeper was only able to push the ball into the roof of the net.

The Row did not give up and a long free kick saw Eagle head across goal for Paul Hodges to see his header parried by Hopwood. Somehow the hosts were unable to scramble the ball home from close range.

Finally the pressure paid off and Hartley pulled a goal back on 90 minutes.

A Paul Hodges cross found Ciardini who saw his effort blocked. James Tennant following up scored from close range.

In the third minute of added time Hartley should have equalised.

A free-kick delivered into the box fell to both Ciardini and Everiss who both were unable to force the ball home from almost on the goal line.

A thrilling match with the large crowd getting full value for money.

Joint manager Dan Brownlie said: "I thought we started very well and should really have been ahead before they scored.

"The visitors opening goal seemed to upset our plans somewhat and we lost our way for a short while.

"I was pleased when we equalised and went in level at half time.

He added: "The second half was very open. Ultimately we conceded some soft goals at one end and missed many chances at the other."