NORTH AND SOUTH: Joy for Alty and Eastbourne

Altrincham will face Kettering Town in the Nationwide North regional final on Saturday after beating Nuneaton Borough on penalties last night in the semi-final. That result means that Kettering will be at home in the final, as they finished a place above Altrincham in the league.

Rod Thornley gave Altrincham the lead after 19 minutes at Nuneaton, with the help of a slight deflection, and they held out against steady pressure from the home side until deep into the five minutes of injury time at the end of the second half.

Terry Angus scored the late equaliser with a looping shot to send the match into extra time and eventually to penalties. Martin Reeves has his spot-kick saved by Stuart Coburn in a desperate start for Nuneaton, and Stuart Whittaker blazed his penalty over the bar, leaving Altrincham to win 4-2.

In the Nationwide South semi-finals, Cambridge City were already assured of their place in the final as Lewes were ineligible, so the only issue was whether they would be at home to Thurrock or Eastbourne Borough.

Thurrock were at home in the semi-final, but suffered the same fate as Nuneaton, as they crashed out 4-2 at Ship Lane. Eastbourne took the lead through Ben Austin in the 11th minute, but when Lee Hook brought down Kris Lee in the area five minutes before half-time, Glenn Poole levelled from the spot.

Jimmy McFarlane put Thurrock ahead just before the break, but Eastbourne bounced back in the second half with goals from Andy Atkin and Stuart Tuck before Scott Ramsey made it 4-2 in the last minute to secure their place in the regional final.