Rangers loanee Ross McCrorie bagged a late assist as Portsmouth defeated Exeter City 3-2 in a thrilling EFL Trophy tie on Tuesday night, to reach the Wembley final.
It was a first start of the calendar year for McCrorie, who had been struggling to break back into Kenny Jackett’s team after a period out with a hamstring injury.
However, after contributing an assist off the bench in a league win over Shrewsbury Town at the weekend, he was given the nod for this last four tie at Fratton Park.
The scores were still locked at 0-0 after 78 minutes, but in a chaotic end to the contest, there were five goals, including two stoppage-time efforts from the hosts.
Jake Taylor put Exeter ahead, only for his effort to be cancelled out by Marcus Harness with four minutes left in normal time.
It then looked as though the visitors had snatched progression when Christian Burgess put through his own net in the 89th minute.
However, Pompey would make spectacular use of a lengthy period of injury time.
First, McCrorie, operating from right-back, fed Cameron McGeehan, whose deflected shot looped in, before John Marquis stepped up in the 96th minute to land the killer blow.
A thrilling 3-2 win for Portsmouth then, who will now face either Newport County or Salford City in the final at Wembley on 5th April.
That will be an amazing experience for McCrorie and is perhaps just reward for all the injuries and other challenges he has overcome since his loan stint began.
