Corinthian missed out on Wembley after being knocked out of the FA Vase semi-finals in a penalty shoot-out.

After a six-month wait to play their semi-final with Northern League Hebburn Town, Corinthian were within touching distance of a Wembley final at the end of this month.

But the Southern Counties East League outfit were left heartbroken, with players and staff in tears. after missing out in the cruellest way possible.

A tense first half gave way to a topsy-turvy second period and extra-time as the tie fluctuated both ways before going to the lottery of spot-kicks.

FA Vase favourites Hebburn were on the backfoot for the first 15 minutes but they soon settled and left-back Darren Lough blazed over with his weaker foot.

Corinthian’s quarter-final match-winner Emmanuel Oloyede looked lively for the hosts while the tenacious Jack Mahoney hassled the visitors at every opportunity – his long-range shot forcing a comfortable save from visiting keeper Mark Foden.

Tom Potter, Hebburn’s left-footed right winger, caused problems throughout and two blocks in a minute by Corinthian’s Jamie Billings thwarted him while keeper Aiden Prall turned behind Robbie Spence’s header.

Corinthian got to half-time on level terms and then took the lead just three minutes into the second half. Andres Tobon held off his man and looked to go round keeper Foden, who conceded a penalty and picked up a yellow card in the process.

After a long wait while Tobon received treatment, Oscar Housego showed he was the coolest man inside Gay Dawn Farm as he tucked home the penalty to put Corinthian ahead.

Chances were few and far between before the game came to life with 13 minutes left. Corinthian substitute Josh James cushioned his header back to Prall, who was taken out after he collected the ball.

Referee Adrian Quelch surprisingly opted for red rather than yellow and substitute Olly Martin was sent-off just 11 minutes after coming on – leaving Hebburn to play with 10 men.

When Prall made a fantastic flying save to tip Cedwyn Scott’s free-kick onto the crossbar – and the ball bounced back off the keeper before going to safety – it looked like Corinthian were destined for Wembley.

But with two minutes remaining, centre-back Jack Bath’s needless challenge in the box handed the visitors a spot-kick and Graeme Armstrong confidently levelled the scores.

The momentum shifted and the 10 men looked on top as referee Quelch played more than eight additional minutes before the game went to extra-time – with Foden’s save from Billings’ free-kick the last action of normal time.

Hebburn, boosted by staying in the tie, looked on top at the start of the extra half-hour despite having 10 men and it was no surprise when Armstrong headed in Michael McKeown’s left-footed cross to put them ahead on 100 minutes.

But Corinthian are made of stern stuff – and they were handed a lifeline by referee Quelch four minutes into the second period of extra-time. The official generously pointed to the spot when Oloyede went down after Dan Groves’ challenge.

With Housego off the pitch, Billings stepped forward to take the penalty and the scores were level again.

The game shifted back in Corinthian’s favour, and Hebburn’s legs tired that little bit quicker than before. Foden, who looked shaky under an early cross, nearly gifted the tie to the hosts as he failed to collect a late free-kick but his defence managed to hook the ball off the line.

That took the tie to spot-kicks. Successful penalties by Connor Johnson, Billings and George Snelling were matched by Lewis Suddick, Louis Storey and Tom Potter.

Bath stepped forward at 3-3 and saw his low penalty saved, Carl Taylor put Hebburn 4-3 ahead and then Louie Clarke blazed over as he aimed for the top corner.

In what seemed like a heartbeat, Corinthian’s Wembley dream had fallen apart in front of their eyes – the harshest of exits given everything that had got them this far. It was only the second time a penalty shoot-out had been needed in the Vase semi-finals since 2009.

Hebburn were humble in victory, Corinthian gracious in defeat. This was non-league football at its enthralling best, a finale that was worthy of a Wembley final. But, for now, Corinthian can only look on from afar, hoping their chance may yet come again.

Corinthian: Prall, Kinnear (Holland 86mins), Trueman, Snelling, Billings, Bath, Oloyede, Mahoney (James 66mins), Tanner, Housego (Johnson 70mins), Tobon (Clarke 101mins). Subs not used: Stirman, Sawyer, Fox.

Hebburn: Foden, Groves, Lough, Spence (Mullen 71mins), Storey, Carson, Potter, McKeown (Suddick 118mins), Armstrong, Scott (Martin 66mins), Purewal (Taylor 115mins). Subs not used: Richardson, Donaghy, Eleftheriadis.

Attendance: 300.

• Reaction: 'I'd rather lose 7-0 than lose on penalties'

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