Steeton 1 AFC Headingley 1 (aet, Steeton won 5-4 on pens)

LAST year's finalists Steeton edged through to the second round after their West Yorkshire League Division One visitors took them to penalties.

The Chevrons almost took the lead in the first minute. In almost identical circumstances which saw him score a goal the previous week, Andy Holden curled a shot which this time hit the bar rather than lodge in the stanchion.

Although there was some slick passing from both sides, neither was able to penetrate. The game was held up by an injury to Andy King, who was replaced by Michael Rhodes, himself returning after a long lay-off.

Skipper Damien Whiteoak smashed a volley narrowly wide but after 39 minutes the visitors took the lead when Matthew Pasque drilled home from the edge of the box. The lead was almost doubled but for some sterling defensive work by Arley Barnes.

The tongue-lashing given by manager Roy Mason did not seem to work in the early minutes of the second half as both Danny McNulty and Sam Rooke played risky passes across their own box.

Another defensive slip by Rooke allowed a Headingley forward to fire off a shot which brought the first of many smart second-half saves from Josh Brooksbank.

Steeton levelled when a loose ball fell at the left-foot of Danny McNulty and his rasping half-volley flew into the net.

This settled the hosts down and they played their best football of the game in the last 15 minutes of normal time. Barnes (twice) and Mark McGee went close before a superb piece of interplay on the right between Barnes and Holden saw the latter cross to Lee Reilly, who forced a superb save from the keeper.

The first period of extra-time was cagey and highlighted only by a mazy run by Holden followed by a low, hard drive which was well held by the goalkeeper. The introduction of substitute Joe Park, who replaced the tiring Ryan Cox, gave the hosts impetus they needed but the game went to penalties.

Steeton trailed by one with one spot-kick each left. Headingley's fifth penalty was superbly saved by Brooksbank and the hosts' fifth was smartly put away by Mark McGee to take it to sudden death. Brooksbank made another save before Rooke sealed victory by converting his effort. “I shut my eyes and leathered it!” said the defender.

Boss Mason said: "After a totally unacceptable first-half performance, we improved in the second period and I felt overall we deserevd the win. But we need to be more creative in the final third and work the opposition keeper better.

"With players now coming back from injuries and suspensions, we can start to look forward to naming a more settled squad."

In the next round Steeton will play Rawdon Old Boys at home on November 1. This Saturday they host Huddersfield YMCA (2pm).

Steeton: Brooksbank, Barnes, McNulty, Driver (Reilly), Rooke, Whiteoak, Holden, Hird, King (Rhodes), Cox (Park), McGee.