Ramsgate lost in the Isthmian South East play-off semi-finals for the second season running as Chichester pulled off the ultimate smash-and-grab.

Substitute Mo Jammeh struck three minutes from time to send the Sussex side into Friday’s final against Three Bridges.

Rams, beaten at this stage by Hythe last season, recovered from a shaky start to largely boss proceedings but they couldn’t score and paid a heavy price.

Chichester finished 20 behind runners-up Ramsgate in fifth place but made the better start at Southwood and had good chances to lead.

Jimmy Wild somehow lifted the ball over an open goal when picked out unmarked from Isaac Bello’s cutback after only five minutes.

Rams defender Alex Brefo then presented the ball to Lloyd Rowlatt in a dangerous area but his shot was touched over by Tom Hadler, who also got down well to keep out Bello’s first-time strike.

Ramsgate had shown promise with Joe Turner cutting inside from the right but it took them time to get to grips with the game.

Once they did, though, they got on top and looked the more likely side to break the deadlock in the pouring rain at Southwood.

Benny Bioletti’s ball across the face of goal was crying out for a finish while Bioletti himself volleyed wide when well-placed at the far post.

Bioletti had an even better chance when Chichester keeper Kieran Magee presented a clearance straight to him but he fired over the bar.

And while Joe Taylor had the ball in the net on the stroke of half-time, the linesman’s flag was already up for offside, amid big home protests.

Turner went close after a driving run in the opening moments of the second half, then Lee Martin hit the bar from a free-kick out wide on the left.

Chichester were anticipating a cross but he definitely went for goal.

The pace of Jordan Green, running at the defence, was giving Chichester plenty to think about and Rams went close again when Turner’s header from Martin’s corner was cleared off the line.

City went on to survive three or four consecutive shots on goal, Taylor and Green among those denied, and they continued to throw bodies in the way as Ramsgate pushed hard.

Magee stuck out a leg to thwart Green after racing in on goal from TJ Jadama’s pass and Alfie Paxman’s follow-up was blocked by a defender with a goal looking certain as the last 10 minutes of normal time approached.

But there was a sucker-punch in store for the hosts when Chichester grabbed the lead in the 87th minute.

Jammeh’s first shot was blocked but the ball came back to him and he fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Eight minutes of added time gave Ramsgate hope but they almost conceded again with Ethan Pritchard’s long-range effort coming back off the post.

Hadler stayed up for the final minute of injury time as Rams forced late corners but City held on.

Ramsgate: Hadler, Warren, Stone, Brefo (Hennessey 89mins), Bioletti (JA Paxman 46mins), Martin, Jadama (Elito 84mins), Paxman, Green, Turner, Taylor. Subs not used: Parter, Christie.

Chichester: Magee, Davidson, Hutchings, Moore, Da Costa, Cody, Clack, Clarke, Wild, Rowlatt (Jammeh 60mins), Bello (Pritchard 74mins). Subs not used: Pashley, Haitham, Munt.

Referee: Craig Barnett.

Attendance: Not given.