STOCKPORT, England (CMC) – Reggae Boy Adrian Mariappa had a vital penalty saved in a nerve-jangling shoot-out as Salford City faltered in their quest to reach the League Two play-off final, in a heartbreaking defeat to Stockport County.

With the semi-final tie level at 2-2 after 120 minutes at Edgeley Park in the north-west on Saturday, a penalty shoot-out was needed to resolve the contest, and Matt Lund volleyed over the crossbar to leave Salford City playing catch-up.

The 36-year-old Mariappa, capped 64 times by Jamaica, had the opportunity to haul his side back into the tie after Paddy Madden had put the hosts ahead, but his shot was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe.

Veteran 35-year-old Hinchliffe saved again from Stevie Mallan, and Will Collar and Antoni Sacevic both scored to send Stockport through to face Carlisle United in the final at Wembley.

“It’s hugely disappointing, of course, but at the end of the day it just wasn’t to be,” said Salford City Head Coach Neil Wood.

“I can’t fault any of the players. Every single one of the lads gave it absolutely everything, right up until the dying seconds.

“We’ve practised penalties this last fortnight but you just can’t prepare for the crowd and the hostile atmosphere that the lads taking the penalties were up against.”

Salford City entered the second leg of the semi-final tie with a 1-0 lead following a positive result at Moor Lane a week ago, but Isaac Olaofe levelled on 68 minutes to force the game into overtime when he headed in full back Ryan Rydel’s cross.

Mallan’s deflected goal in the 112th minute seemed to put the visitors in the driver’s seat again before Jack Stretton’s close-range header five minutes from the end restored parity in the tie.