Vanarama National League South leading scorer Alfie Rutherford notched an extra time winner for Dorking Wanderers to win the play-off decider at the expense of Ebbsfleet United.

However, it might have been so different as the hosts only levelled with virtually the last kick of second half stoppage time. To rub it in, the leveller was scored by former Fleet player Luke Moore.

Rakish Bingham had the first opportunity for Ebbsfleet at the end of a good move, but he miscued completely. Then Ben Chapman picked out Sido Jombati with a free kick, but he did not make the most of it and headed wide.

Chapman crossed for Jack Paxman who chose to pull it back rather than shoot from a difficult angle. It was half cleared as far as Alfie Egan, but he blasted over from twenty yards.

Midway through the first half Dorking were sloppy with possession in midfield allowing Paxman to send Bingham clear. This time he made no mistake as he slotted it between Dan Lincoln and the near post.

James McShane found Jimmy Muitt as Dorking looked to respond quickly. He crossed but Jason Prior, falling away, could only head over.

Another good Ebbsfleet move allowed Paxman to create a shooting opportunity for Joe Martin, but his attempted lob was held by Lincoln over his head. Then, at the other end, Prior and Muitt combined to create an opening for Rutherford, but Fleet goalkeeper Louie Moulden was out sharply to block.

Three minutes before the break, Dorking levelled. Rutherford pounced on a mis-directed defensive header and laid it back for McShane to slot home.

There was still time for Nicky Wheeler to fire over as Dorking finished the half strongly.

Early in the second period Moore found Prior from a corner but he headed wide, and he repeated it when again off target when meeting a Moore free kick. Dead ball situations continued to look threatening, and it was Ebbsfleet’s turn when Jombati got on the end of a Chapman free kick, but his header was saved comfortably by Dan Lincoln.

Paxman played in Chapman but he could not muster any power in his shot and Lincoln saved easily before Moore launched a free kick well over at the other end.

With ten minutes remaining, supporters of the hosts were cheering, goal music blaring, and the scoreboard changed as Prior bundled home at the far post but there had been a clear push in the penalty area allowing the cross to reach him, and it was rightly disallowed.

Moulden made a great save when a goalmouth scramble appeared to come off a defender however, it was Ebbsfleet who went ahead again two minutes into stoppage time. Substitute Dominic Poleon got clear, and Lincoln made a brilliant save from his shot, pushing it onto the post.

Dorking struggled to clear, and it came out to another replacement, Craig Tanner, and he made no mistake with a crisp finish.

Unfortunately, an Ebbsfleet supporter then threw a smoke-bomb onto the pitch causing a delay to the re-start which allowed Dorking manager Marc White to re-organise his team whilst breaking the Fleets’ momentum.

Ed Harris volleyed over before Dorking levelled in the eighth minute of stoppage time when Moore bundled home after a cross was flicked on.

There was barely time to restart before the final whistle was blown.

In the seventh minute of extra time, Dorking went ahead for the first time in the match. Josh Taylor crossed low, and although McShane was unable to turn it home, Rutherford came in late at the far post to tuck it away.

Ebbsfleet threw men forward in the second period of extra time and Poleon shot over the bar on the turn, then Christian N’Guessan headed Chapman’s cross onto the roof of the net. One last chance came and went when Chapman curled over from the edge of the box.

Although it was a sad way for their season to end, Ebbsfleet have had an excellent campaign and Dennis Kutrieb can start to plan for next term with ambitions to go one step further.

Dorking Wanderers: Lincoln, Fuller, J. Taylor, Moore, Gallagher, Cheadle (Wills 91), Wheeler (Harris 88), Muitt (B. Taylor 73), Prior (Oldaker 88), Rutherford, McShane.

Sub not used: El-Abd.

Goalscorers: McShane (42), Tanner (90+2)

Yellow cards: J. Taylor, Harris

Ebbsfleet United: Moulden, Finney, J. Martin (Tanner 78), N’Guessan, Jombati, Solly, Chapman, Egan, Bingham (Poleon 87), Romain (L. Martin 60 (Coulthirst 98)), Paxman.

Sub not used: Haigh.

Goalscorers: Bingham (22), Moore (90+8)

Yellow cards: Paxman, J. Martin, Poleon

Referee: Jason Richardson

Assistants: Jorden Gibson and Thomas Kelly

Fourth official: Matthew Norton

Attendance: 3,000