Three steps from Wembley! All the action from the FA Vase
FA VASE holders Morpeth Town were left furious after their last 32 tie at fellow Northern League heavyweights South Shields was abandoned.
No sooner had former Watford striker Liam Henderson’s bullet hit the back of the net to put Town 4-2 up, the floodlights failed – with just eight minutes left.
South Shields had played the second half with ten men after former Premier League star Julio Arca was sent off.
A decision lies with the FA as to whether the Highwaymen will carry on their defence of the Vase or if the tie will be replayed.
Morpeth manager Nick Gray was less than pleased after the ground was plunged into darkness with dramatic timing.
He told The NLP: “For me it’s the 82nd minute and the game’s gone. They aren’t going to get two goals back – as soon as the ball hit the back of the net the lights went out.
“If this does go to a replay I’ll feel robbed, but the FA will look at the rules and decide what the outcome will be.
“What should South Shields do? Should they forfeit the game? There’s eight minutes to go plus injury time and they’re down to ten men, the tie was ours.”
The Mariners took the lead on seven minutes when Liam Connell’s long ball was flicked on by Carl Finnigan for David Foley to slot the ball past Karl Dryden.
Shields cranked up the pressure before Alex Nicholson’s crossfield ball wasn’t dealt with by Craig Baxter. Sean Taylor was the beneficiary, restoring parity.
The turning point came on the stroke of half-time when former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Arca was sent off for kicking out at Henderson.
Nevertheless ten-man Shields went in front again through Michael Richardson as he tapped Jon Shaw’s cross past Dryden.
Morpeth began to make the extra man count, forcing a corner when Mark Doninger’s header was cleared off the line before Michael Turner lashed in.
Turner was then at the centre of more controversy, as he was sent him off for what the referee believed was his second bookable offence. But Turner was allowed to continue playing when it transpired this was his first booking.
The Mariners turned the screw and veteran schemer Keith Graydon hammered home an absolute rocket.
Morpeth thought they had wrapped up an absorbing tie when Henderson’s drive found the net after striking the crossbar – before the drama unfolded.
South Shields joint-managers Graham Fenton and Lee Picton refused to comment after the game due to the controversial nature of the abandonment. STAR MAN: Ben Sayer (Morpeth Town) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★