SALISBURY boss Brian Dutton has said last night's comeback against Gosport "will go with him to the grave".
The Whites were 1-0 down in the Southern League Premier Division play-off semi-final with just five minutes of the game left to play, before they completed a dramatic turn around.
In the 87th minute, Josh Hedges equalised with a low shot into the bottom corner, and five minutes later, with just 90 seconds left in added time, Gosport's Wassmer fouled Fitchett in the box and was given a red card.
Coppin, the club's top scorer so far this season, stepped up and buried the penalty it in the bottom corner, sending the home fans absolutely wild.
Dutton told the Journal after the game that, despite captaining the club to two play-off final winning campaigns, this was his best night with Salisbury FC.
He said: "You’re probably scratching your head thinking well this is just a semi-final but ultimately the manner in which we won that game tonight will live with me forever.
"Its an emotional night, that will go with me to go to the grave, and I am delighted for everyone connected with the club."
Salisbury go 2-1 up with a late late penalty pic.twitter.com/63ZqXZ1kuL
— Ben Paessler (@benpaessler) May 1, 2024
On the latest comeback from his team, he added: “You are never going to rule these players out. They are a really special group.
"Obviously I was a bit deflated going into the final moments and your mind starts turning to what's gone wrong, but like I've mentioned they are a special group and history tells us this season you cant write them off and they will keep going right to the end and fortunately the football gods were shining down and smiling on us."
There was a huge attendance last night - 2,234, probably the biggest in years - something Dutton was especially proud of.
He said: "When I took the job that was the first thing I wanted to remedy was the connection between the fans and the players and tonight’s attendance shows what can be achieved when there is harmony between the players and fans."
Salisbury will take on Totton - in Totton - on Monday afternoon in the final, 3pm kick-off.
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