A former Workington goalkeeper was within a minute of having the opportunity to become a hero on the national stage.
Luke Simpson was playing for Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup-tie with West Ham United when the National League North side just failed to take the game to a penalty shoot-out.
West Ham had equalised in the 91st minute and went on to win it in the first minute of time added on at the end of extra time.
Simpson, 27, had made a couple of important saves from Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma during the game but was eventually beaten by Hammers star Declan Rice and Bowen.
The Lancashire-born keeper was an Oldham Athletic player when he was loaned to the Reds in the 2013/14 season. He played six times for the Borough Park club, including the two derby clashes with Barrow.
It was a disastrous season for the Reds as they ended up being relegated, but remarkably they had to use eight different goalkeepers. That actually became nine when defender Kyle May had to take over in goal when they had Australian keeper Danijel Nizic sent-off at Gainsborough Trinity.
Simpson has played over 40 gams now for Kidderminster, more than at any other of his clubs where appearances have all been in single figures.
His list of clubs after Oldham and Workington has been Nantwich, Leicester City, Accrington Stanley, Watford, York City, Macclesfield Town, Tamworth and Wrexham.
He was also at Barrow in the 2019/20 season without playing a senior game before joining Kidderminster.
