Guernsey’s promotion dream is over despite mounting a late comeback against Leatherhead in the play-off semi-final on Tuesday.

The Surrey side’s points deduction over the weekend meant that they dropped below Folkestone Invicta in the table, throwing up different opponents for the Green Lions than they expected

The Tanners supposedly had a bit of help in the form of some dual-registration players from teams higher up the football pyramid who were making their debuts, and they were ahead inside two minutes when Sam Cochrane misjudged a direct ball forward and Darren Smith finished.

Tom Bradbrook doubled the lead on 36 minutes and it looked all over when he got his second and Leatherhead’s third just after the hour.

The Green Lions lost Ross Allen to injury but Tony Vance’s men fought back in the closing stages with fine finishes from Marc McGrath and Dave Rihoy. From being down and out, they were suddenly in with a shout with just a few minutes to go. Three down with 10 minutes to go? We’ve been here before.

For a brief second, the sizeable swell of Guernsey fans behind the goal thought they had sealed a fightback of Erith Town-style proportions when Matt Loaring’s volley found the far corner, but the assistant referee’s flag was quickly up for offside.

It may have ended in disappontment, but the Sarnians can be proud of their efforts this season, coming so close to three straight promotions, and they will have learned a lot that will stand them in good stead when they have another go this season.