RUSS Penn hailed the "outstanding" Ashley Hemmings after he put aside a penalty miss to lead Harriers into Sunday’s play-off final at Brackley.

Hemmings struck his 14th goal of the season in Norfolk to help the visitors reach a play-off final for the first time ever with a 4-1 win at King’s Lynn Town.

That was after his afternoon had got off to the worst possible start, missing a penalty early in the tie.

It was the talisman’s second 12-yard miss of the season, but the former Wolves starlet refused to dwell on the set-back.

It took him just ten minutes to banish the disappointment, his effort squirming past Tommy Dixon-Hodge between the sticks to the delight of over 800 away fans.

Hemmings played a starring role throughout, later setting up the fourth goal for team mate Zak Brown.

In between, King’s Lynn had levelled through Ben Stephens to leave scores level at the break before Amari Morgan-Smith and Shane Byrne netted to put Harriers 3-1 up.

Though proud of his whole team, Penn reserved a special word of praise for the tireless Hemmings.

Reflecting on the storming win, Penn said: “We were just on it today, and we’re on it at the moment.

“We’re a game for anybody. We’re fit and strong and the quality was there from everybody.

“That’s the biggest win of the season for us in terms of goals, so I’m just glad we’re contributing now.

“We had a bit of adversity at the start of the game, missing the penalty, but Ashley Hemmings was absolutely outstanding today – on another level.”

A drought of just three goals in 30 games earlier this season now seems a distant memory for Hemmings, who again looks set to finish the club’s top goal scorer.

His manager was pleased to see him refuse to let the disappointment of the missed penalty get to him, saying: “It has done in the past, when we look back to last season and the start of this year.

“A little bit of adversity [can] get to people but he’s rolled his sleeves up today.

“He knows what he means to us and knows what he means to me.

“I am proud of everyone today. To a man, we were excellent.”

After three failed attempts at regaining their place in the National League via the North play-offs, Harriers are within one game of non-league’s top flight.

They make the short trip to Brackley Town on Sunday, 14th (3:30pm), and while the adulation of the massive away following rang in his ears, Penn was keeping his focus.

“These are the days you remember forever,” he said “But we’ve achieved nothing yet, we’re just one step closer and there’s one more to go.”