Integro League Cup action review

After Stourbridge versus Alvechurch was postponed due to floodlight failure, Monday night's only other game saw an amazing encounter between EVO-STIK League South rivals Belper Town and league leaders Basford United at Christchurch Meadow 5-5!

Despite playing over 70 minutes with ten-men when debutant full-back Austen Symons saw red for a challenge on the halfway line, a youthful Basford side overcome adversity to win 5-4 on penalties. Veteran Rob Duffy, who is on the comeback trail from a long-term injury, bagged a brace for the Nottinghamshire side.

It was a busy Tuesday night of cup action with no less than eight ties going all the way to spot-kicks.

Premier rivals Sutton Coldfield Town and Stafford Rangers shared a 1-1 draw at Coles Lane before Rangers triumphed 6-5 on penalties, and it was the same full-time score at the Sir Halley Stewart Fields between Spalding United and Gresley FC, whose Ryan Robbins equalised in stoppage time before the Moatmen carried on their momentum to win 4-3 from the spot.

EVO-STIK League North title favourites South Shields and Premier promotion-chasers Farsley Celtic drew 2-2 at Mariners Park in front of an evening`s best attendance of 1,056.

Shields led 2-0 with goals from Michael Richardson after 53 minutes and Jon Shaw in the 55th minute before Celtic battled back to level late on through James Pollard on 89 minutes and then Luke Parkin`s penalty three minutes into time added on. But it was Shields who won the shoot-out 5-3.

It finished goalless between North rivals Hyde United and Trafford at Ewen Fields before the Tigers went through 5-4 on spot-kicks.

EVO-STIK League South basement side Romulus caused the evening's biggest 'surprise' by beating Premier outfit Halesowen Town on their own Grove patch.

The Roms' Harry Harris cancelled out John McAtee`s goal on the half-hour mark for the hosts in the 64th minute before the visitors won 4-3 in the shoot-out.

It also finished 1-1 between EVO-STIK League North rivals Glossop North End and Mossley AFC before the visitors won through, also 4-3 on penalties.

EVO-STIK League South rivals Frickley Athletic and Stocksbridge Park Steels battled out a 3-3 draw at Westfield Lane, with Brodie Litchfield the Steels` hero with a hat-trick. Steels won through 7-6 on penalties.

And it was the same 90-minute scoreline at Moss Lane between Altrincham and Premier rivals Ashton United with the hosts going through 4-3 on pens.

Elsewhere, Warrington Town came from a goal behind to win 4-3 at Colwyn Bay while Bedworth United beat Barwell 2-0 and Workington held on to win 2-1 at Colne despite the hosts pulling one back in the second half through Adam Morning.

Hednesford Town beat EVO-STIK League Premier rivals Rushall Olympic 2-0 at Keys Park with Lancaster City 2-0 winners at Kendal Town and EVO-STIK League North leaders Bamber Bridge 4-1 victors at Prescot Cables.

Shaw Lane and Cleethorpes Town shared eight goals in Barnsley with the EVO-STIK League South visitors coming out on top with a 5-3 win while Scarborough Athletic also won away at higher league opposition, 2-1 at Whitby Town.

Other results included a 1-0 success for Stamford over Peterborough Sports and a 3-0 win for Witton Albion at Wincham Park over Radcliffe Borough.

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