Banbury Utd 2, Sutton Coldfield Tn 1 (aet): Defender Wayne Blossom headed the late extra-time winner as Banbury United secured promotion to the Dr Martens Premier Division with a thrilling play-off victory against ten-man Sutton at Spencer Stadium yesterday.

It looked as though Banbury, playing their third game in five days, would lose out when Exodus Geoghaghan headed Sutton in front two minutes into the second period of extra time.

But they fought back through Jason Allen's equaliser, before a header from Blossom, who played in place of Achilles injury victim George Redknap, found the back of the net two minutes into injury time to send the near-700 crowd wild with delight.

Banbury should have wrapped the game up in normal time, but a combination of poor finishing and excellent shot-stopping from Justin Bray saw Banbury do it the hard way.

Early in normal time, Blossom, who with Mark Simms caused Sutton's defence endless problems, went close, before Dean Baker spurned a good chance for Sutton.

Simms should have fired Banbury ahead, but Bray saved bravely at his feet. He also blasted wide after being set up by Blossom.

At the other end, Naveed Arshad headed over.

After the break, Banbury kept up the pressure, with a Blossom shot going wide, before Simms's long-range effort fizzed past a post.

Blossom then missed a glorious opportunity after a mix-up in the Sutton defence.

Then Sutton captain Mark Wolsey's 25-yard free kick went inches wide, with Simon Tricker, who was making his 200th appearance, well beaten.

Paul Eldridge then just failed to get to Blossom's superb cross at the end of normal time.

In the eighth minute of extra time, Sutton were reduced to ten men when Wolsey was red-carded for dissent after Banbury were given a free-kick on the edge of the area when Bray handled.

The keeper then redeemed himself by keeping out Eldridge's piledriver.

On 107 minutes, Geoghaghan fired Sutton ahead from a free-kick given after substitute Liam O'Neill was harshly-adjudged to have handled, before Allen levelled from Eldridge's cross.

Bray then saved brilliantly from substitute David Billington, only for fellow-sub Andrew Stidder to set up Blossom for the winner in time added on.

Banbury boss Kevin Brock said: "It's been an amazing five days. We won the Senior Cup and now this. It's brilliant. These players never know when they're beaten.

"This is up there with winning the Milk Cup with Oxford."

Banbury Utd: Tricker, Fuller, Jackson, Sullivan (Billington 109), Allen, Eldridge, Stanbridge, Corbett, Simms (Stidder 85), Blossom, Potter (O'Neill 79).

Subs not used: Brock, Essex.

Attendance: 698.