Steelmen are through after shoot-out, but Hornets go out

FA Vase finalists Consett and Hebburn Town experienced contrasting fortunes in their respective FA Cup preliminary round ties yesterday.

Consett forced Northern Premier League North West Division side Ossett United to a penalty shoot-out after battling back from two goals down in normal time.

Tom Greaves and Jack Stockdill put the Yorkshire outfit in control at Belle View – but the tie was taken to a 12-yard lottery after goals from Ross Wilkinson and Ali Alshabeeb.

And it was the Steelmen that held their nerve from the spot as they claimed a 5-4 win to secure their place in Monday’s first qualifying round draw.

However, Hebburn suffered penalty heartache as they were sent out of the FA Cup by Pontefract Collieries for the second consecutive season.

The Hornets battled back from a goal down twice as equalisers from Cedwyn Scott and Graeme Armstrong cancelled out strikes from Damian Reeves and Dan Keane – but the visitors progressed with a 5-3 win on penalties.

Bishop Auckland made a mockery of facing higher-level opponents as braces from Craig Hutchinson and

Luke Hogan and a late strike from Regan Nixon helped them to a stunning 5-0 win at Kendal Town.

Neighbours West Auckland Town also continued their run with a penalty shoot-out win over their Northern League Division One rivals Ashington.

The two sides shared six goals in normal time as Jordan Blinco, Kyle Fryatt and Adam Mitchell scored for West and a Dean Briggs brace and Lee Scott strike were enough for the Colliers to force the tie to penalties.

However, there was heartache for

Ian Skinner’s side as West keeper Tom Flynn produced two fine saves to give his side a 3-0 win in the shoot-out.

A late Kevin Hayes goal helped Stockton Town come through a tough Teesside derby at Billingham Town.

Chris Emms put the hosts ahead midway through the first half – but their lead lasted barely a minute as Nathan Mulligan got the Anchors back on level terms.

And Hayes popped up with a crucial winning goal in the last minute of an eventful affair to put his side into the first qualifying round for the second year in a row.

Sunderland RCA were the winners in one of the other all-northern League ties as Callum Hope and James Fairley found the net in their 2-0 win at Thornaby.

Joe Ferguson’s first-half goal wasn’t enough to see Guisborough Town into tomorrow’s draw as they fell to a brave 2-1 home defeat against Tadcaster Albion.

And another goal from veteran striker Paul Brayson wasn’t enough to keep Newcastle Benfield in the competition as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Frickley Athletic.

MARK CARRUTHERS