Keeper Rob Tolfrey and striker Andre McCollin were the heroes as Kingstonian secured a Robert Dyas Cup final berth on Monday night, but boss Tommy Williams and his players were far from happy.
Tolfrey, captain on the night, saved two Wingate & Finchley penalties as Ks earned a 4-2 shoot-out triumph after the scores had finished level at 2-2.
A McCollin brace had Ks 2-1 up inside 15 minutes but they weren't the same team after Wingate keeper Bobby Smith was stretchered off with a suspected dislocated shoulder midway through the first half.
Firing on all cylinders: Andre McCollin has scored nine goals in nine appearances since returning to Kingstonian
Billy Healey levelled matters for the visitors early in the second half and Ks - who were dreadful after the break - were left hanging on for a penalty shoot-out victory eventually delivered by Tolfrey.
And Williams, who saw his side draw 0-0 at struggling Needham Market on Saturday, is keen to freshen things up.
"It was great to get through to the cup final, but disappointed with the second half," he said.
"We looked flat, no tempo, didn't pass the ball and we didn't turn them around when we needed to.
Double save: Ks keeper Rob Tolfrey saved two Wingate & Finchley penalties on Monday night
"We got ourselves into a cup final but the dressing room is flat having churned out probably our worst performance of the season in the second half."
He added: "If we have aspirations of getting in the play-offs then we have to be better than that.
"I'll be addressing the squad and looking where we need to maybe make one or two changes.
"I'm speaking to one player, so hopefully we'll get him in because I was disappointed with tonight. We know we are better than that."
Turning point: Wingate keeper Bobby Smith is stretchered off with a suspected dislocated shoulder and neck injury
Williams' men had seemed in for an easier night as they led 2-1 after 14 minutes through McCollin's double and were seemingly able to break through at will.
The former Aldershot Town striker latched onto a long ball to open the scoring in the first minute only for Wingate's Leyton Orient loanee Freddie Moncur to profit from a similar tactic at the other end nine minutes later.
McCollin restored the advantage from a free kick with less than 15 minutes on the clock and Ks looked set for comfortable passage.
Things looked even more promising for Ks as the visitors lost keeper Smith and midfielder Rob Laney replaced him between the sticks.
But Wingate & Finchley started the second half with greater intent and it wasn't long before Healey levelled matters.
Ks, who had dominated the first half, failed to test Laney in a dreadful second half performance.
Having taken the tie to penalties McCollin, Aaron Goode, Harold Odametey and Pelayo Pico Gomez all found the net from the spot.
Ks will face either Sittingbourne or Faversham Town - both of the Ryman Division One South - in the final at Carshalton Athletic's Colston Avenue home on April 6.
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