Lincs Senior Trophy holders Boston Town pulled off an astonishing Houdini act to stay alive in this year’s competition.
They looked certain to be dumped out at the first hurdle as they trailed deep into stoppage time at the end of the 90 minutes.
Unbeaten Division One leaders Bourne Town had led through a fine first half strike by Tom Edwards.
As the referee’s watch ticked beyond the minimum added 5 minutes that had been indicated, it seemed the Poachers had run out of time – only for Liam Adams to level it up with the help of a deflection after 98 minutes.
Adams then stepped up to put the visitors 1-0 up in the penalty shootout. Bourne’s first effort bounced back off the underside of the bar to leave Boston suddenly in the box seat.
But this rollercoaster tie lurched back in favour of the Wakes as Dan Swan pulled off 3 saves in a row to deny Layton Maddison, Fraser Bayliss and Jason Field.
That left Bourne 2-1 up and needing to convert just one of their 2 remaining spot-kicks to go through.
Step forward Travis Portas to produce 2 of his own saves, with a successful penalty by Zane Millar leaving the score level at 2-2 after 5 kicks each.
Going into sudden death, George Hobbins’ successful conversion was matched by Finley Sewell. But after Bogdan Balint slotted his home, Bourne’s 7th effort sailed high over the bar to send Martyn Bunce’s team through.
The Poachers will now be at home to Pinchbeck in the quarter-finals.
Town: Portas, Tate (Balint), Worthington, Hobbins, Ford, Wilson, Bayliss, Maddison, Young (Field), Adams, Beeson (Millar); unused subs: Bad, Borbely
Watch highlights, courtesy of Bourne Town:
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