Wingate & Finchley’s promotion dream was killed off during a frantic 11-minute spell on Tuesday night, writes Dominic Gover.

The Blues conceded three goals in quick succession in the first half of their play-off semi-final with Enfield Town at the Harry Abrahams Stadium.

Despite a valiant fightback, the visitors triumphed 3-2 and will now meet Concord Rangers in Saturday’s final, the winners gaining promition to the Ryman League Premier Division.

Wingate must now prepare for another season in Ryman League Division One North.

But at least they can take comfort from the fact that their third-place finish was the highest in the club’s history.

A bumper crowd of 412 witnessed arguably the Blues’ biggest game to date, on Tuesday.

Wingate strained every sinew for their goals, after Town rocked them by netting three times so quickly.

Stuart Blackburne bagged a brace from set pieces for the visitors, after Paul Marks had fired them into the lead on 16 minutes.

Jordon Fowler made it 3-1 from the penalty spot when play-maker David Laird was floored in the area by Marc Kirby on the half-hour.

The hosts always looked a threat from midfield, and Laird pulled the strings for top scorer Leon Smith.

He twice fired wide from close-range, and Town were just more ruthless in front of goal. Smith eventually reduced Wingate’s deficit to one goal, when he headed in Gary Burrell’s corner on 64 minutes.

But it was not enough for David Norman’s battling side and Town, who had finished the campaign one place below the Blues, triumphed.