In a full-blooded local derby however, it was the Hampshire Premier minnows who emerged with most of the credit.

If it hadn't been for a ludicrous penalty awarded against them 15 minutes from time they could quite easily have held out.

United - who had conceded home advantage after the tie had been postponed twice - looked like they had run out of ideas when veteran Steve Leigh gave the home side a 70th-minute lead.

But just five minutes later goalkeeper Aaron Harmes was adjudged to have taken out an attacker on the edge of the area when he quite clearly took the ball.

Even United manager Mark Poulton accepted it was a huge stroke of luck for his side.

Billy Huntley's spot-kick forced extra-time which was always going to be a bridge too far for the gallant home side.

Ten minutes into the extra period, 16-year-old United-substitute Jason Wakeley drove home the winning goal.

It was tough on Paulsgrove who refused to be overawed by opponents who play two levels above them.

The home side included two 39-year-olds - Wayne Johnson and Steve Leigh - who both put in remarkable performances.

Captain Johnson, playing his first game in five months because of cruciate ligament damage, put in a faultless performance at the back.

But even his performance was shaded by the evergreen Leigh who was everywhere on the pitch.

Leigh used his vast experience to clear up in front of the back four, made lung-bursting runs through midfield and was on hand to head in Paulsgrove's opener.

Johnson said: "He was the fittest man out on the pitch and popped up everywhere including for the goal.

"We played some real good football and the only reason we are not where Hayling are is our lack of money."

Poulton admitted his Hayling side were a little fortunate to come through unscathed.

He said: "I was pleased with the result and it is the first time a Hayling side have ever won at Paulsgrove.

"It is always nice to get to a cup final.

"We struggled to get into the game until extra-time and were battered at times.

"It was never going to be easy because they have some experience in their side but our extra fitness told in the end."

The cup-tie was fiercely fought from the start and Paulsgrove broke the deadlock with a superbly-worked goal 20 minutes from the end.

John Cripps did superbly well to control a clearance and, despite stumbling, still picked out Dave Harding on the right.

Harding got to the by-line and chipped in a perfect cross for Leigh to race in and head home.

Five minutes later the home side were left incensed by the penalty award.

With Paulsgrove tiring, United then struck the decisive blow to earn themselves an end-of-season cup final against either Locks Heath or Petersfield, who meet on Tuesday night.

United are scheduled to meet Moneyfields at The College Ground on the same night but after the weekend's heavy rain again, the match is in doubt with the groundsman hoping for a continuation of Monday's sunshine to dry out the soggy outfield.