Hednesford Town fell at the Third Qualifying Round hurdle for the second year in succession despite forcing extra-time in a replay at Buxton, finally succumbing to a Lee Morris penalty on one-hundred-and-one minutes.
The crowd at Silverlands are unlikely to see a more fiercly competitive game all season as both sides really did fight tooth and nail for a place in the Fourth Qualifying Round against Guiseley.
The first half was an even affair with strong tackles flying in from both sides but the home side shaded the half, chances wise, with Morris shooting over from six yards on forty-two minutes.
A Jamey Osborne free-kick brought a superb save from Ian Deakin on forty-nine minutes but after that Buxton took control and Hednesford had Dan Crane to thank for making no less than three outstanding saves in the space of five minutes.
The pressure finally tolled and Mark Reed tapped in with twenty minutes remaining but four minutes later The Pitmen levelled as Dave MacPherson deflected in an Aaron Rey shot after great work by Elliott Durrell.
Substitute Michael Lennon could have won it for The Pitmen as Deakin smothered his shot when put through by Neil Harvey and the game looked to have swung Hednesford’s way when Steve Istead was sent off for two bookable offences five minutes into extra time.
It wasn’t to be for Hednesford though as a long ball from Deakin set Morris away and Crane brought him down in the area, easily converting the penalty on one-hundred-and-one minutes.
The Pitmen strained every sinew to equalise but, a Sean O’Connor header scrambled off the line apart, Buxton did well to see the game out and advance to the Fourth Round.
Buxton
Deakin, Black, Sandwith, Istead (c), Haggerty (Duncum 91), Roberts, Stevens, Nix (Bradbury 40), Reed (70), Morris (101), Mayfield,
Subs Not Used
Toney, Keane
Hednesford Town
Crane, Watkis, Barnes, Bailey, Francis, MacPherson (74), Osborne, Durrell, Harvey, Rey, Woolfe
Subs Not Used
Hornby, Recci
Bookings – Black, Stevens, Istead, Bailey, Durrell, MacPherson
Sent Off – Istead, Bailey,
Entertainment Rating – 5 stars
Star Man – Marc Roberts
Attendance – 302
