Tommy Warrilow said Ashford's dramatic play-off win at Hastings was no more than his players deserved.

The Nuts & Bolts came from behind twice to win their Bostik South East semi-final 3-2 with a penalty in the last minute of extra time.

In their first ever play-off match, United showed great character when it mattered most.

Scroll down to hear from Ashford United manager Tommy Warrilow.

"We were out on our feet," Warrilow said. "We've not got a massive squad but I thought we deserved it. Our goals were decent goals.

"We kept Jay May on as long as we could but we knew with Trey Williams and Danny Parish it was going to give us a different dimension so we were trying to go a little bit more direct and get in behind and it's come up trumps by causing them a few problems at the death with the penalty.

"I'm really pleased because it's been a long season. When you think where I started (at Thamesmead, who folded) and now we're all here, looking for a play-off final spot...

"I just didn't want it to end tonight because I had that feeling when we lost to Carshalton at Tonbridge. It's horrible because you're done but now we've got a final on Friday."

Ashford were cheered on by a large and loud bunch of travelling supporters in a crowd of more than 1,100 at the Pilot Field.

Warrilow said: "I'm just really happy for all the fans that have come down here tonight. The fans have been brilliant since we've come in and the lads deserve it.

"If you look at the amount of players we've actually used, apart from bringing the boys in, we've nigh-on kept the same team.

"There might be a couple of changes, if that, but I'm pleased for them because they deserved to get something out of the game."

Ashford fell behind in the 47th and 62nd minutes but equalised within four minutes on both occasions.

Warrilow said: "It never bothers me (going behind) because we're always going to create chances.

"Tonight we got in good areas and it hit someone on the back of the neck or the final ball wasn't quite right.

"I felt when Bode Anidugbe didn't get his shot off and Dan had a header on the rise that we might have run out of time but with that final ball with a minute to go, Dan's chased onto it and he's done a great bit of skill for one of the goals as well."

Ashford now face Horsham in the final at Lancing FC on Friday (7.30pm).

"We're going to go there positive," Warrilow said. "I've said from day one, nobody will want to play us and you've seen the reasons why tonight.

"Whether we go one down, two down, whatever, we'll keep carrying on and we know we'll get chances to get back in games."

• Ashford beat Hastings in play-off thriller
• Tommy Warrilow on the KM Football Podcast