Stand-in keeper is the hero at Cirencester take shoot-out win

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STAND-IN goalkeeper Josh Nelmes emerged as the hero at The Corinium Stadium as Cirencester Town won an eventful FA Trophy tie with Paulton Rovers.

John Brough’s side won 5-4 on pnalties after a 1-1 draw which saw a red card for ‘keeper Alex Harris, two penalties for the visitors in the first half, followed by a spectacular equaliser and a 13-penalty shoot-out.

Cirencester conceded a penalty in the fifth minute that Harris saved.

Ten minutes before the interval Harris was dismissed following an incident with Daniel Cottle and a second penalty was awarded.

Replacement keeper Nelmes saved the kick but Daniel Cottle followed up to smash the rebound into the net.

With the man advantage Paulton pressed forward after the break and Cirencester defended resolutely and were rewarded when Brad Gray unleashed a fierce strike from 30 yards that flew into the net via the left post.

This signalled a rally as the home side pressed for a winner but the game went to a penalty shoot-out.

Gray, Levi Irving and Tom Handley converted for Cirencester while Ben Withey And Mason Harrison converted for Paulton but Nuno Felix fired over, to make it 3-2 to Cirencester.

Joe Turley then converted for Cirencester and Charlie Hitchings converted for Paulton.

Nelmes fired over for Cirencester as he missed the chance to seal the tie, and Liban Ibrahim scored for Paulton to send the shoot-out tosudden death.

Ellis Dunton scored for Cirencester before Braeden Symes’ penalty was saved by Nelmes - but before Cirencester could celebrate the referee ordered it to be re-taken.

Nelmes saved the re-take and Cirencester were through 5-4 on penalties to face Mangotsfield in the next round.

Evesham United also made it through, beating Biggleswade 2-1, thanks to two goals from Aaron Basford.

His first goal came in the first minute when Dan Tustin went into the Biggleswade box at pace only to be brought down and the Robins were awarded a penalty.

Basford scored from the spot with a confident strike.

Harry Franklin was the provider for the second goal as his excellent cross from the right found Basford at the back post to head Evesham 2-0 up.

The second Evesham goal seemed to stir the visitors into life.

With 79 minutes on the clock a superb long range shot from Ryan Inskip rattled the Evesham crossbar, Joseph Gauge was on hand to head in the rebound and give the visitors hope.

Biggleswade’s George Bailey had the chance to level thing but, he saw his header go over the bar.

The Robins now entertain Carlton Town of the Northern Premier League Division One South East.