Kendal Town have reached their second semi-final of the season after a penalty shoot-out with high-flying Avro.
The Mintcakes had been pegged back in the 90th minute at 2-2 but straight to a penalty shoot-out they won it 4-2.
Already through to the Westmoreland County Cup semi-final Kendal now have the Macron Cup to look forward to with Bacup Borough, Congleton or St Helens also involved in the semi-final draw which still has to take place.
Kendal had conceded a North West Counties League double to leaders Avro – losing 1-0 away and 3-0 at Parkside Road – so this was timely compensation.
Chairman Michael O’Neill said: “They made four changes but were still strong while we were also missing a few through knocks and unavailabilities so it was a superb performance in my view.
“It was a bitter pill to concede an equaliser in the last minute but we stayed strong for the shoot-out and won it to go through. It was nice, too, that Brandon Croskill-Robinson, who has been out with an ankle injury for a few weeks, came back into the side and scored the winning penalty.
“There’s no respite, though, because we are back in action tomorrow night at Winsford in the League and our recent signing Bailey Kenny will come into the squad.
“He has joined us on dual registration and did well in mid-week against Longridge but has committed to Kendal United for the rest of the season, available for us when they don’t have a game.”
In an entertaining, tight game with Avro the Cumbrians twice held the lead through Steve Yawson (59) and Tom Kilifin (80) after a goal-less first-half. Each time Avro levelled through Brad Sullivan (62) and Muis Bello (90) to take the game to penalties.
Tomorrow night’s opponents Winsford United came from behind at home to beat Prestwich Heys 2-1 yesterday but lie six places (18th) and five points behind Kendal in the Premier Division table.
