THRILL-SEEKERS Birstall United came back from behind and let two leads slip before shocking Cinderford Town 5-4 on penalties to make the last 64 of the FA Vase.
Having conceded early, Paul Pallett levelled from a fluid move before keeper Ben Cluley saved a 16th-minute penalty to keep the Capelli Sport MFL Division One side level.
Pallett then slotted in a Birstall penalty only for the lead to be cancelled out by the Hellenic League Premier Division high-fliers by half-time.
United debutant Jonah Walker then put away a low cushioned half-volley to hand Birstall the initiative again three minutes into the second half but Cinderford pressure told five minutes from time to make it 3-3.
And while Josh Crossley missed United’s first in the penalty shootout, the visitors spurned the chance to win it with their fifth with Josh Folwell making no mistake after Cinderford failed to convert their seventh in sudden death.
Division One high-fliers Gornal Athletic won 2-0 at higher-ranked Ashby Ivanhoe, Dan Hadley and Brad Maslen-Jones with the goals either side of half-time.
Brocton ousted Premier Division rivals Abbey Hulton United 5-4 on penalties despite having let go of a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw.
Charlie King struck midway through the first half with Dylan Millington adding the second early in the second half only for United to quickly get back into it through Mackenzie Faulkner.
Lewis Holdham equalised with 15 minutes to go but the Badgers got through after it went to sudden death from 12 yards.
Joe Berks was at the double to ensure West Didsbury & Chorlton made it past Prestwich Heys 2-0.
His first was a 15th-minute free-kick followed by a delightful curled finish midway through the second half. Takura Sambizi blazed a penalty over the bar for Prestwich at 1-0.
Northwich Victoria will seek to make it five MFL clubs in Monday’s round three draw when they host Yarm & Eaglescliffe at Runcorn Town tomorrow (Sunday, 3pm).
Three goals in the opening 10 minutes of the second half saw Sutton United bow out 3-1 at Harrowby United, Matt Bishop with the Green Army’s consolation,
David Ndene grabbed a late equaliser but it was not enough to prevent Premier Division leaders Winsford United exiting 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Holker Old Boys.
Kylan Depeiza gave Cheadle Town a first-half lead but Cheadle Town lost 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Droylsden, while Roan Newey’s first-half goal consigned GNG Oadby Town to a 1-0 defeat at Atherstone Town.
Despite being level at half-time, Lye Town lost 4-0 to Eastwood with Tyler Blake bagging a double.
Heather St John’s went out in a 5-2 defeat at Sherwood Colliery. Jamie York’s hat-trick for the hosts was supplemented by goals from Nathaniel Crofts and David Olatomide. The Saints were three down when Kyle Jardine scored, while Taylor Shilcock’s added-time effort came at 5-1.
FA Vase, second round
Saturday, October 31
Abbey Hulton United 2-2 Brocton (Brocton win 5-4 on penalties)
Ashby Ivanhoe 0-2 Gornal Athletic
Atherstone Town 1-0 GNG Oadby Town
Birstall United 3-3 Cinderford Town (Birstall win 6-5 on penalties)
Cheadle Town 1-1 Droylsden (Droylsden win 4-2 on penalties)
Harrowby United 3-1 Sutton United
Holker Old Boys 1-1 Winsford United (Holker win 4-3 on penalties)
Lye Town 0-4 Eastwood Community
Sherwood Colliery 5-2 Heather St John’s
West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-0 Prestwich Heys
Sunday, November 1
Northwich Victoria v Yarm & Eaglescliffe
