Workington suffered play-off heartache after being within touching distance of the final.
The conceded a second equaliser at home to Marine with virtually the last kick of the game.
It went to extra-time and in the third minute Neil Kengni, the Marine man of the match scored a fine goal to complete his hat-trick – and that was enough to send the Merseysiders through 3-2.
Workington were so close to finishing it in the 90 minutes and after five minutes of added time was shown, they were pegged back by a goal in the seventh minute.
Manager Chris Willcock said: “I felt gutted for the players because they gave it their all and certainly gave a great response from Saturday’s disappointment.
“My complaint was with the officials and the time added on at the end. It was given as five minutes by the officials yet they scored in the seventh.”
Reds had made a great start by taking the lead in the sixth minute. Conor Tinnion’s free kick was fumbled by keeper Bayleigh Passant, who looked shaky all night, and Scott Allison was there to score from close range.
It had quickly developed into an even, hard-fought Cup tie and on 21 minutes the visitors drew level.
Workington were able to clear a corner but it fell to Kengni on the edge of the area and he scored with a spectacular volley into the top corner.
Workington regained the lead early in the second half and again Passant was at fault failing to deal with a corner and when the ball fell loose Sam Smith fired home.
Reds looked strong in defence, and although Marine piled on the pressure in the last 10 minutes, it didn’t look as though they had time to get on terms.
But in added time on the added time announced Reds failed to clear a long throw and Kengni fired home through a forest of bodies to send the tie to extra time.
But within three minutes of the first period starting it was Kengni who won it for his side with a fine goal. He shimmied and lost two defenders inside the area and scored with a fine left foot strike past Jim Atkinson.
Although Workington had their moments – particularly when Passant dropped another ball into the box – they could not force the equaliser to send the tie to penalties.
In the final on Saturday Marine will travel to Runcorn Linnets who were 4-1 winners at Leek Town.
