Aldershot put a traumatic few days behind them with an exciting cup win at Grays on Tuesday, thus avenging a recent league defeat at the hands of the Essex club.
Stuart Cash had to rebuild his side after the supension of Saturday's two miscreants, but Aldershot responded with a gritty performance.
And they had to dig deep as Grays overcame a two-goal deficit with goals in the 81st and 90th minute to take the tie into extra time.
Stafford Browne scored from the spot on 33 minutes, after a foul on Mark Watson. Fourteen minutes into the second half, the visitors took a deserved 2-0 lead when Watson laid off a Jason Chewins cross and Browne smashed in his second goal.
But Richard Halle revived Grays' hopes with nine minutes left and Nathan Thomas levelled the scores at 2-2.
Finally, in the 101st minute, substitute Richard Gell scored the winner with a perfectly judged chip, giving Aldershot a two-leg semi-final against Hampton.
Aldershot: Collis, Parker, Chewins, Kirby, Coll, Townley, Holsgrove, Payne, Browne, Watson, Protheroe. Subs (all used) Forrester, Gell, Harford.