Tiverton Town's promotion dreams are over following a gut-wrenching 3-1 defeat to nine-man Paulton Rovers in the play-off semi-finals at Ladysmead on Tuesday.
The game was just 25 minutes old when Dean Evans – who was dismissed for a two-footed lunge on Dan Smith when the two sides drew 0-0 in March – was sent off for going up for a header leading with his elbow.
The Yellows capitalised nine minutes later when Michael Nardiello crashed home a spectacular long-range effort.
But the visitors – who Tivvy had not beaten in 10 attempts prior to the game – struck back moments before half-time with the softest of goals, winning two simple headers in the Tivvy box before the superb Nick McCootie beat Mike Searle to the ball to prod home.
Just nine minutes after the restart, Paulton took a shock lead when again Searle was beaten to the ball – this time by Marcus Mapstone – allowing the ball to trickle agonisingly over the line.
Tivvy were handed a lifeline on 61 minutes when Paulton went down to nine, as Sam Teale received a second yellow card for a crude on Smith.
But the Yellows momentarily lost concentration 90 seconds later as the unplayable McCootie was put through and, despite seeing his initial effort saved by Searle, he was able to squeeze home from a tight angle.
Smith, Sam Malsom and Matt Wright all went close for Tiverton, only to be denied by heroic defending and some fine goalkeeping from Kyle Phillips.
After the final whistle sounded, Tivvy's players received a warm standing ovation from a stunned Ladysmead, with Paulton Rovers going on to face Merthyr Town – who beat Swindon Supermarine 5-2 – in the final on Monday.
