CLARENDON PARK, Clarendon — Manchester High advanced to the final of the ISSA/Flow Ben Francis Knockout competition for a third time in five years, but they needed a pair of late goals to overcome a wasteful Lennon High 2-1 at Juici Park yesterday.

Shawayne Nelson had given the Clarendon-based Lennon a 1-0 lead in minute eight.

They went on to dominate the game, but were atrocious in front of goal, an Achilles heel that will haunt them for a long time to come after Duhaney Williams and Romaine Walsh combined to win the game in extra-time for Manchester.

Williams set up Walsh for an easy tap in on the stroke of full-time before heading home the winner in the last minute of extra-time.

Manchester now await the winner of today’s semi-final between the St Elizabeth Technical and Dinthill Technical at Manchester High.

Meanwhile, Manchester coach Donovan Duckie, who was reduced to tears in his post-game interview, said his charges showed real grit and determination in dire circumstances.

He said: “It was unfortunate that we conceded a goal that early, but we always believed that we would win.

“They (the players) showed real character today and we are just happy to be in the final.”

And fortunate too.

Lennon had opened the scoring with what was essentially their first attack when Nelson latched onto a pass over the top to lob the advancing Manchester goalkeeper Nicholas King.

And but for faulty finishing, Merron Gordon’s side should have increased their advantage on at least three occasions — Nelson, Kwesi Watts and Ray Campbell all shooting over the top from close range.

As so often the case, they would suffer the consequence when Williams teed up Walsh for a well-worked counter-attacking goal deep into stoppage time.

And the turnaround was completed with practically the last kick of the match. Williams was again the protagonist, towering above his markers to head home an in-swinging corner from Jarvis Mattis.