A goal in extra time by John Hurlock saw Boro through to the final of this competition for the third time in their history. This was a deserved win against Conference based neighbours and cup holders Hayes and means Boro will play Uxbridge in the final on Easter Monday.

Heavy afternoon rain meant a late pitch inspection was necessary although ultimately it played reasonably well, if very soft. Boro included coach David Howell in their line up with Emond Protain wide on the left, Jon-Barrie Bates on the bench and John Hurlock joining Pat Gavin up front. The Hayes starting line up was made up of Conference squad players.

The first half hour was relatively uneventful with neither goalkeeper having to make a save. Boro's best chance at this stage came from a neat cross by Dave Howell which Pat Gavin met but his header flew over the bar. Gradually, Hayes looked to be taking a grip on the game with most of the danger coming down the right from the pacy Preston. Coppard headed wide following a corner for the home side and then Preston's low cross flashed across David Hooks' goal with no attacker able to make a contact. David Hook made a brave block from Hodson before Hayes took the lead in the 42nd minute.

Preston knocked in a low cross from the right and this time Hodson beat Hooksie from close range. Boro responded immediately. A free kick by Tony Fontinelle was delivered to the back post and Paul Gothard in the home goal seemed to make a half hearted attempt to claim the ball at the feet of John Hurlock who won it and turned it back into the path of Pat Gavin who drove in. In the opening period of the second half Andy Rose sent two long range efforts just wide, Pat Gavin knocked an effort past the post while for Hayes Dean Coppard again headed wide at the back post following a free kick. Adam Everitt got back to clear the ball off the line after Preston had rounded Hooksie but Boro were getting on top.

Rosie headed wide after a cross by Fontinelle and then sub Paul Scott did well to turn the home defence before crossing but Rosie knocked the ball wide. Hayes continued to concede free kicks around their penalty area - was it the smoke from the Club boiler chimney getting in their eyes - and were nearly punished when Adam Everitt thumped a kick against the post from 25 yards with Gothard helpless. According to the programme, referee Downey had taken charge of all Hayes' games in their County Cup run. Perhaps as he knew them so well he decided he need not ask for their names! Hooksie made an excellent save from Tellemaque and Jon-Barrie Bates sent a 20 yarder whistling just over after being set up by Rosie. However, Rosie was in the wrong type of action a minute later when he was adjudged to have brought down Bryson in the penalty area.

Barry Moore stepped up to take the penalty with all the conviction of a man going to the gallows and Hooksie threw himself to his right to push the shot away. Moore's second attempt, under pressure from defenders, went yards wide. In the last minute J-B curled yet another free kick inches wide and extra time became inevitable. Boro's winner came in the first period of extra time. Everitt's throw-in landed in the six yard box and Paul Scott confused the home defence enough to allow John Hurlock to force the ball past Gothard.

Harrow had the ball in the net in the second period after an excellent spell of passing but this was ruled out for offside against "scorer" Scott. In the closing minutes Hooksie palmed away a shot from Highton and saved with his legs from Preston to ensure Boro made their third Senior Cup Final. At the end of the day Boro deserved their win because they clearly wanted it more. Hayes - who have earned wide admiration for their ability to survive in the Conference against the full time professionals - looked at times as if they had other things on their minds and they are a side in need of confidence in front of goal.

It was noticeable that the cries of exasperation from their dug-out at their own players became louder as the game wore on. A genuine team effort by Boro with David Howell playing his part to the full. Mark Cooper and Mark Walsh battled hard all night in central defence with Coops showing much more of his best form. Dwayne Lewis easily out-shouted everyone else - except Boro's shouter in chief Darren Nuttall - but Boro's display was personified by the all action effort of Johnny Hurlock who gave another 110 per cent performance.

The beginning of the end of the Champions League?