Neil Lyne's side battled bravely for 120 minutes against a side with arguably the biggest budget in the league, and based on the chances created, deserved to go through on the night.

Whilst the hosts created chances themselves, Will Highland was hardly tested throughout the game, while several Hinckley players could have put the Knitters several goals in front with Harborough failing to contain the Hinckley forward line, looking nervous throughout the contest.

In the 16th minute, Dom Brennan broke down the right hand side, driving deep before playing the ball across to an unmarked Liam Read with the latter's effort striking the inside of both posts, failing to cross the line, before eventually being gathered.

Against the run of play, the hosts took the lead 34 minutes in when Luis Rose's effort was parried to Jordan Crawford who fired home the rebound from close range.

Away from home, going a goal down would see many sides head's drop, but that wasn't the case for Hinckley as they continued to create chances to get themselves back in the game.

Four minutes later, Louie Gill received the ball on the left hand side, turning his man driving into the box before releasing a venomous strike which was some how tipped over by Elliot Taylor in the Harborough goal.

Just before half time, Joe Lyne received the ball on the left hand side, attempting a cross which went closer to goal than expected, having Taylor scrambling to receive the ball as it went narrowly wide.

In the second half Hinckley continued to cause Harborough problems and looked the most likely to score when the opportunity came.

Two minutes after the restart, Hinckley did get their opportunity as Dom Brennan latched onto a ball inside the box before being caught by an opposing defender, going down under the challenge, with the referee pointing straight to the spot.

Up stepped Aaron Nuttal, who slotted home his penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way, putting it into the bottom right corner.

In the 67th minute Hinckley gained a golden opportunity, leaving everyone associated with Harborough with their hearts in their mouths, as a loose pass by a Harborough defender was quickly picked up by Nuttall, driving deep one on one against Taylor.

However, Nuttall was unable to hit the target as he dragged his shot just wide.

The game went scrappy in the closing stages of normal time with both teams trying to break each other down, trying to find a winner.

It wasn't meant to be for either though as the game entered extra time.

At the end of the first half of extra time, Nuttall received the ball again, driving into the box before releasing a ferocious effort at goal, taking a deflection on the way as it went inches over the cross bar.

In the second half it was Hinckley again who looked most threatening, with Read coming close in the 110th minute when he turned his man inside the area before dragging a shot across goal and wide.

Neither side could find the winner though as the game was to be decided by a penalty shootout.

Despite looking the more deserving side on the night, it wasn't meant to be for Hinckley on spot kicks as Nuttall and Spencer Edwards both had penalties saved with former striker Tendai Daire scoring the winner to send Harborough to the final.

Regardless of not getting the result they wanted or probably deserved, Neil Lyne and his squad can walk away from Tuesday's fixture, feeling incredibly proud of themselves for what they've achieved this season as they now go away before starting preparation for the 2024/25 season in a few months time.