ANDY Gunn’s extra-time winner booked North Leigh’s place in the Pitching In Southern League Division 1 Central play-off final as they saw off Berkhamsted.

The defender fired home early in the additional period to put the Millers within 90 minutes of promotion to step three of non-league for the first time in their history.

It was an excellent response from North Leigh after Berkhamsted equalised in second-half stoppage-time, following Levi Steele’s strike on the hour mark.

Eddie Odhiambo’s side will face Ware in the play-off final after the Hertfordshire outfit beat AFC Dunstable on penalties in their semi-final.

The Millers only gained entry to the end of season competition when Welwyn Garden City were kicked out over ground grading issues, with second-placed Berkhamsted finishing 13 points higher in the table.

But they quickly found their feet and caused their opponents problems, Roger James looking particularly lively.

The winger hit the post early in the second half and a goal soon followed.

Amer Awadh fed Jordan Thomas to cross into the danger area and Steele headed home.

North Leigh did not sit back and pushed for a second, while they kept possession well as full-time approached.

But they failed to clear a corner in the 92nd-minute and the hosts converted to force extra time.

The Millers did not let it affect them and retook the lead six minutes after the restart, Jefferson Louis heading Thomas’ cross back across goal for Gunn to score.

Berkhamsted piled on the pressure, but they could not find a way through.