Telford through to Northern final

Terry Fearns scores Telford's opener on Tuesday night (James Baylis)

AFC Telford United made it through to the Northern Section final of the Setanta Shield with their 3-2 extra time win over Kettering Town.

Two-goal Jamie Vermiglio's glancing header proved the winner, the match having finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.

And boss Rob Smith hopes it reignites their Blue Square North promotion push.

Smith told BBC Radio Shropshire: "This is nice but the bread and butter is our league performances. They've not been up to scratch in the last two weeks".

Telford will now play either Southport or Barrow, who beat York City in Tuesday night's delayed fifth round tie, in the Northern Section final.

But Smith's men only got there after a two-hour contest that was not without incident.

Kettering boss Mark Cooper is sent off for arguing with the ref (James Baylis)

Kettering defender Guy Branston was sent off for picking up two yellow cards at the end of the first period of extra time.

Poppies manager Mark Cooper was then sent to the stand for the final 15 minutes after arguing with the referee about his captain's dismissal.

Earlier, striker Terry Fearns scored Telford's opener, making the most of a defensive error.

Kettering winger Alfie Potter was then gifted an equaliser 50 seconds into the second half, latching onto a poor back pass by home skipper Gavin Cowan.

But Telford took the lead again through a thunderous strike by Vermiglio from the edge of the area.

Jean Paul Marna levelled it up again for the Northamptonshire side with a well-taken strike 15 minutes from time.

But Vermiglio scored his second to settler the outcome and earn Telford their fourth win over Blue Square Premier opposition this season (three of them now in this competition).

Telford had lost their two previous home league games (against Stafford Rangers and Hyde United). But Smith is now looking to regroup ahead of Saturday's league trip to Fleetwood.

"I haven't been happy after the Hyde result," said Smith. "But we've got to go to Fleetwood and be mentally strong."

The Southern Section final will be between Forest Green Rovers and the winners of the delayed tie between Ebbsfleet United and Crawley Town, who only booked their place with Tuesday night's 2-1 win at home to Chelmsford.