Selston exit cup on penalties after late Deeping drama

Selston FC's long-awaited return to the Parish ended in heartbreaking fashion as Step 5 Deeping Rangers progressed to the next round of the United Counties League Knockout Cup following a 6–5 penalty shootout victory after a 1–1 draw.

The hosts had been seconds away from progressing before a goalkeeping blunder in the 90th minute gave Deeping a route back into the game.

Manager Lee Stevenson said: “I'm absolutely gutted for the lads. We've played a Step 5 side today and for large periods, particularly in the second half, we looked the better team and deserved to be going through.

“When we scored, we were in complete control. We defended well, worked incredibly hard and created the situation where we should have been seeing that game out comfortably.

“That's what makes the way we've lost it so frustrating. We've got ourselves into a winning position against a very good side and then we've effectively handed them a way back into the game right at the end.

“The penalty shootout is always a lottery. We had the chance to win it after Branon made a fantastic save, but unfortunately it wasn't to be.

“There are plenty of positives to take from the performance, but the lads are hurting because they know that was an opportunity we should have taken. We have to learn from it, pick ourselves up and move forward.”

Playing up the slope in the first half, Selston faced sustained pressure from the Step 5 visitors, with Deeping spending long periods in the home half.

Selston came flying out of the blocks after the interval and were rewarded within three minutes when Leighton Bowering's relentless pressing forced the Deeping goalkeeper into an attempted clearance which rebounded off the advancing midfielder and ricocheted into the back of the net.

With the clock ticking down, Selston appeared to be heading for a deserved place in the next round. Then came the cruelest of twists.

On 90 minutes, a back pass put Brandon Meehan under pressure. The Selston goalkeeper attempted to take a touch around the advancing Deeping attacker, but the ball became caught under his feet and fell kindly to the visiting striker, who made no mistake from close range.

With no further time to find a winner, the tie went directly to penalties.

Both sides showed composure from the spot, with some excellent penalties being dispatched. At 3–2, Meehan produced a superb save to his right to put Selston in the driving seat. However, Jake Payling saw his subsequent penalty saved, bringing the shootout level once again.

The spot kicks continued with both teams finding the net before Arthur Pashley saw his effort saved, allowing the visitors to convert the decisive penalty and claim a 6–5 shootout victory.