Ex-Premier League player Charlie Austin scores a last minute winner in a crazy 7th tier playoff with an astonishing late comeback.
The 35 year old scored a dramatic last-gasp winner to secure a 4-3 victory for AFC Totton against Dorchester Town in the Southern League Premier Division South play-off semi-final on April 30, 2025.
The match was one of the most remarkable in non-league football history, with four goals scored in stoppage time.
Trailing 2-0 in the 90th minute, AFC Totton staged an incredible comeback. Scott Rendell scored a penalty to make it 2-1, followed by Tony Lee’s goals in the 7th and 10th minutes of added time to take a 3-2 lead.
Dorchester’s Jack Dickson equalised at 3-3, forcing extra time. Austin’s close-range poke in the dying moments of extra time booked AFC Totton’s place in the play-off final against Gloucester City.
What a crazy night, don’t matter how you do it just got to get the victory and tonight @AFCTotton did! 1 more to go
— Charlie Austin (@chazaustin10) May 1, 2025
Still life in the old boy yet 😍👏👏 https://t.co/NSC4R14jnn
— Bianca Austin (@BiancaAustin90) April 30, 2025
118’
GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL
🦌💙 AFCT 4-3 DTFC 🟡🔵
AUSSSSSTIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNN pokes home from close range!!!!!!!!@chazaustin10 is sponsored by: @TrouDigital #GoStags🦌 pic.twitter.com/2izmqBiGxF
— AFC Totton ⚽️🦌 (@AFCTotton) April 30, 2025
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 🎥
🔵 @AFCTotton 4-3 @DorchTownFC 🟡 AET
AFC Totton are into to the @SouthernLeague1 South Play-Off Final 🏆An INCREDIBLE game 🤯Ex Premier League Star Charlie Austin scoring the winner in extra time 👏
📺 Full game available on https://t.co/Cx0iVqRV2B pic.twitter.com/IE1apt4iTX
— Clubber (@ClubberFootball) May 1, 2025
On social media, Charlie Austin said: “What a crazy night, don’t matter how you do it just got to get the victory and tonight AFC Totton did! One more to go.”
3 SPS
Champions – Merthyr TownPlayoffs – AFC Totton, Walton & Hersham, Gloucester City, Dorchester TownRelegated – Winchester City, Swindon Supermarine, Frome Town, Marlow
Semi-finalsWed 30th Apr, 19:45AFC Totton 4-3 Dorchester TownWalton & Hersham 2-2 (3-5p) Gloucester City
FinalMon 5th May, 15:00AFC Totton v Gloucester City
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 🎥
🔵 @AFCTotton 4-3 @DorchTownFC 🟡 AET
AFC Totton are into to the @SouthernLeague1 South Play-Off Final 🏆An INCREDIBLE game 🤯Ex Premier League Star Charlie Austin scoring the winner in extra time 👏
📺 Full game available on https://t.co/Cx0iVqRV2B pic.twitter.com/IE1apt4iTX
— Clubber (@ClubberFootball) May 1, 2025
Premier League Striker Rediscovers His Love In Non-League!
🏟️ @AFCTotton🗣️ @chazaustin10⚽️ @SouthernLeague1 #nonleague #football #premierleague pic.twitter.com/7dZvXBXWAX
— Location Football (@LocationFootba2) February 16, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted as Charlie Austin scores a last minute winner in 7th tier playoff semi final with quite the astonishing late comeback…
@Biggleswade1874: When you played us this season, you were humble and showed real class to everyone at our club. Last night was immense — you deserve every bit of that moment. We might not care much for the club, but we were all on the edge of our seats. 👏🏼
@DorsetHoop24424: Love you Charlie ! That’s the best game I’ve seen and I’ve been following football for sixty years! Thank you Charlie, from the bottom of my heart. You are special and don’t ever let the haters bring you down mush. 🔵⚪🦌👍
@SteveH1982: Not the first time you’ve smashed it in a Play-Off Semi Final. Good luck Monday Chaz
@dunners1980: Amazing game to watch Charlie. What a comeback, more magic on Monday 🤞🟦⬜
@THFCRes: Charlie Austin grabbing the winner as well. Mental
@DorsetHoop24424: Probably the best game of football I’ve ever seen. Well done Dorch, you played your part but beaten by a remarkable AFC Totton team who never know when they are dead and buried. #upthestags 🔵⚪🦌
@mrdavidj: One of the best games I’ve had the privilege to watch.
@sfcvioo: Got to be the best non league game I’ve ever seen! Incredible.
@rherrickmedia: Phwoarr imagine not liking football 😍
@HarveyGerring: Absolutely incredible, I cannot wait for Monday 😍
@bennettmark8: Congratulations guys, as a neutral I’m exhausted after listening live, commiserations @DorchTownFC. What a game
@Archie111111111: That is one of the best non league playoff matches ever 👏 😂
@A_Jones54: Well done from Merthyr, you deserve to come up with us, now to finish the job!
@DorsetMel: What a game! Great entertainment
@gfoley21: The best end to a game I’ve ever seen live 🙈🙈🤯🤯🤣🤣🥳🥳
@ThoseWhiteLines: Congrats 👏 good luck in the Final 👍
@skylarkboy: At 2-0 I said to my dad.. it’s not over, Charlie’s coming on now! Apart from the win,I love the class he showed at the end consoling the Dorchester manager and players 👍
@dean_fry9:Three things guaranteed to happen in lifePaying taxesDeathCharlie Austin hitting the back of the net ( just wish it was still at QPR)
One of the most ridiculous games of football I’ve ever seen. Late goal, after late goal, after late goal drama, a penalty, a red card, a few handbags and some superb finishes.
Long live the English football pyramid. 👏#GoStags & #WeAreDorch https://t.co/RxVGNNxDMj pic.twitter.com/2r4rvv3ueV
— Andy Craig (@andy_craig93) May 1, 2025
