Non-league: Brocton progress in FA Vase after shoot-out drama

Brocton boss Alex Curtis hailed his team after they held their nerve to beat Abbey Hulton United on penalties and reach the FA Vase third round.

Curtis had watched his team let slip a two-goal lead as their Midland League Premier rivals fought back to force a shoot-out.

But it was Brocton who eventually triumphed 5-4 on spot-kicks, Abbey’s Kallum Boyle sending his penalty crashing off the crossbar after Connor Haddaway had scored for the visitors.

Charlie King and Dylan Millington had earlier been on the mark for Brocton before they were pegged back by the hosts.

“It was an excellent win and into the next round,” said Curtis. “We knew it would be tough with two good step five sides giving it everything.

“I’m probably disappointed that we didn’t win it in normal time, but we’ll take a spot-kick win.

“We gifted them their second goal with a poor mistake, but we could still have nicked it at the end.”

Gornal Athletic are also through to the next round after goals from Dan Hadley and Brad Maslen-Jones saw them past Ashby Ivanhoe.

Boss Stuart How was delighted with the win but conceded the game had not been much of a spectacle.

“It was a really difficult game, the pitch was heavy and we had to grind it out,” he said.

“It was probably one of the worst games we have been involved in for a while and there will be no rush to watch it back. But getting the win was all important.”

Bilston Town booked their place in the third round draw with a 4-2 home win over Heanor Town.

Late goals from Jordan Crump and Callum Bright were enough to take victory in a tie the hosts had twice come from behind.

Lye Town are out of the Vase, however, after losing 4-0 at home to Eastwood Community.

Dudley Town endured a disappointing afternoon in the Midland League Premier Division, as they were beaten 2-0 at home by struggling Uttoxeter Town.

Sporting Khalsa were also edged out 1-0 by Wythenshawe Town, though there was better news for AFC Wolverhampton City, who were 1-0 winners at Runcorn Town.

In Division One, Cradley Town had a day to forget as they were thrashed 8-0 at Coalville Town.

Stafford Town sit just two points off the top of North West Counties First Division South after a comfortable 3-1 home win over Telford Town.

First half goals from Callum Parker, Jordan Darlington and Brenden Parker put them in command before Logan Wittaker bagged a consolation for the visitors.

Eccleshall are also in striking distance of the leaders after thrashing Shawbury United 5-0, with Nicky Parker and Charles Partu-Padania both scoring braces.

There was a big win for Wolves Casuals who thumped Allscott Heath 4-0 to remain very much in the hunt at the top.

Callum Knowles struck a second half brace, while Kieran Cook was also on the mark.

But it wasn’t such a good day for Wednesfield Community, who were comfortably beaten 5-2 at New Mills and sit 15th in the table.