Lincoln United reached the final of the UCL Knockout Cup as they beat Newark Town 1-0 at home.
A single Elliot Dye goal was enough for them to reach a second final of the campaign, having already reached the County Senior Trophy closer.
After a crucial league victory last time out, Scott Hellewell made six changes to his starting line-up, most notably dropping joint top scorer Jack McMenemy to the bench.
Newark travelled to Lincolnshire having had an impressive return to step five this season, they sat fifth in the league, inside the play off positions with five games to play.
A cagey semi-final:
After an even start, defender Tom Hipwell came close to breaking the deadlock on 11 minutes, he deftly flicked a cross from the right wing just wide.
It was an opening period which suited the occasion of a semi-final. Some half chances, but both sides looking not to lose it rather than find an opener as the first half wore on.
Kelly Fombad then cheaply gave up possession in his own half and Ryan Rushen found himself through on goal. Harry Millard though rushed across to make a crucial goal-saving challenge and bail out his teammate.
Hellewell took that as a warning and made a double half time substitution, bringing on Jamie Ture and Jack McMenemy in place of Jack Varley and Millard.
A captain’s goal:
On 56 minutes it seemed certain Newark would break the deadlock. A deep corner fell to Sam Bartle and Alex Hales, but their efforts from five yards were somehow kept out by heroics from Jack Steggles in the United net.
Instead, less than a minute later it was the home side who hit the front. A corner was poorly cleared by the visitors, and it fell to Whites captain Elliot Dye who stuck a low driven effort into the corner and put his side half an hour from a league cup final.
Joe Smith will feel he should have done better with a shot just inside the penalty area for Newark on 65 minutes. He beat Evan Payne to the ball but could only shoot well wide with little pressure on him.
A nervy finish:
Newark were the ones creating chances late on and Bartle threatened on the right wing with 13 minutes to play. His shot nearly caught out Steggles as it landed on the roof of the net.
Next it was Randall who forced the ‘keeper into a good save down to his right, after a clever cut inside and shot.
There were several more forays forward from Newark but The Whites held off the late offensive from the visitors and sealed a hard-earned semi-final victory.
It means they will face Eynesbury Rovers in the final of the UCL Knockout Cup as Hellewell’s side continue to fight on three fronts in the manager’s debut campaign.
They next host Wisbech Town in league action, in the hope of continuing to put pressure on their title rivals.