JACK’S THE LAD TO GIVE LINCOLN A SPOT PRIZE

LINCOLN United booked their place in the FA Vase semi-finals, wining on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

It was keeper James Tonkin who missed the decisive kick, to leave the Whites a game away from playing at Wembley.

After a spectacular string of wins via penalties, United boss Chris Funnell praised goalkeeper Jack Steggles as the man who made the difference.

He said: “I know Steggles takes criticism for the pink kit and size of him but he’s a very good goalkeeper.

“I knew he would definitely save one, he’s a very good goalkeeper.”

After a quiet first ten minutes, the visitors had the first opportunity when Thomas Chapman saw his effort blocked.

Steggles almost gifted Deal an opener when he dropped the ball under pressure but the Hoops failed to convert.

Jack McMenemy showed Deal how to finish in style in the 14th minute, opening the scoring with a stunning volley that found the top left-hand corner.

Town thought they were level four minutes later when they bundled the ball in but the flag was raised in the build-up to the goal.

Thomas Chapman had a chance from close range as the game approached half time but Mitchell Griffiths put his body on the line to block the shot.

Tobias Liversidge, who had space and time when he drifted towards the right before the interval, looked to pick out a cross into a dangerous area but it was well cleared. Deal levelled late in the half through Ben Chapman, after a ball was floated into him at the back post and he beat Steggles to the ball to head home.

Thomas Chapman tried to fire the Hoops soon after the break but he wildly missed the mark.

Substitute Jaime Ture made a superb tackle to deny the visitors what would have been a tap-in to take control of the tie. Kallum Smith cut inside and looked to shoot as the Whites tried to get into the second half but he fired over.

Town wanted a penalty when Thomas Chapman was seemingly hauled over, however nothing was given.

After a shaky first period, Steggles asserted himself well to catch the ball under pressure for Lincoln.

The hosts had a golden opportunity in the final 20 minutes when the ball was knocked down into a dangerous area but it was scrambled clear by the Kent outfit.

Ture got a vital touch on a spilled shot to ensure that Deal were denied a sitter.

McMenemy almost won the tie for Lincoln at the death, when he tried to lob the keeper but instead found the crossbar.

With the game level, the outcomes was to be decided in a penalty shoot-out, where both of the first two spot-kicks were saved.

Town keeper Tonkin skied his penalty at 4-3 to put the Whites through.