Carlisle United’s hopes of a quick return to the Football League were shattered at Brunton Park when they lost their play-off semi-final to Boreham Wood.
The tie went to extra-time when Zak Blunt, who had been their hero in the eliminator final with Forest Green on Wednesday, came up with the goal to win it 2-1.
Overall it was a deserved victory for the Hertfordshire side, who had also had to go through the rigours of extra time in mid-week.
Carlisle, however, were handicapped by a red card near the end of the first period of extra time but Junior Luamba could have no complaints after his bad foul on Brunt.
The Boreham Wood talisman exacted sweet revenge for that early in the second period with a cleverly lifted effort over home keeper Gabriel Breeze.
The win leaves Boreham Wood 90 minutes away from Football League for the first time in their history when they play the final at Wembley next Sunday.
The visitors had been the better side for the first 30 minutes, taking the lead and then seeing Carlisle come back into it well and grabbing an equaliser before the break.
The second-half was much more even without any further goals and in extra time, after the sending off for Luamba the game turned in the visitors’ favour.
Abdul Abdulmalik, the best player on the pitch, had given Boreham Wood the lead with a deflected strike which deceived Breeze.
But Carlisle hit back through skipper Morgan Feeney whose shot from a narrow angle squeezed through keeper Ted Curd’s legs.
In the second-half Regan Linney brought a good low save out of Curd but Feeney had to make two vital blocks in his own area when Boreham Wood were in on goal.
In the first period of extra time substitute Chris Conn-Clarke brought a spectacular save out of Curd with a dipping volley but that was the last moment of danger from the Cumbrians as Luamba saw red and Carlisle were forced onto the back foot.
So, unlike last time, Carlisle have not been able to bounce straight back into League Two and the big question now will be whether Mark Hughes wants to stay to try and complete the job next season.
