IT was yet more penalty shoot-out heartbreak for Steeton as they exited the Macron Cup at the Second Round stage.

On the back of exiting both the FA Vase and West Riding County Cup on penalties earlier in the season, it was an unhappy hat-trick for Roy Mason and his charges.

However, it means all attentions can now be focused on the league and a push to finish inside the top five and make the end-of-season play-offs in April.

In truth, the Chevrons were their own worst enemies on the afternoon as they should have been out of sight by half-time.

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But a lacklustre second half showing saw their opponents, Bacup Borough,Β draw level before eventually conquering the men in green from the spot.

An early save from Stuart Cross would be as close as the home side got in the first half.

Steeton then had a golden opportunity to take the lead, but the opposition keeper made a great low diving save to deny Arale Mohamed from distance after the striker showed great footwork near to the area.

Then came a moment of controversy.

Mohamed was fouled on the edge of the area, however the referee adjudged the foul was inside the area and awarded a penalty.

However, the man between the sticks for the home side would prove the hero once more as he made a great save to deny Josh McKiernon from the sport.

But the visitors would take the lead shortly after.

Josh Walne did superbly well to keep hold off the ball and shifted it wide to Toby Jeffrey.

From there, Jeffrey whipped in a superb cross to the near post where Andy Briggs finished to break the deadlock.

The man in the middle was then the centre of attention once more as Mo Farhan Subhani was clattered by Ryan Siddle, leading to the two sets of players exchanging handbags as the officials struggled to keep control.

The hosts’ goalkeeper would keep the score down at one goal with a superb save from Jeffrey, the Steeton winger also hitting the crossbar after some superb individual play.

Jeffrey would also earn Joe Fallon a yellow card as the centre-half hacked him down as he looked to make a break down the wing.

In the closing stages of the half, the hosts thought they should have had a penalty as Michael Gervin hit the deck, but he was the victim of a superbly timed challenge by Nathan Tayo.

The second half would prove a different state of affairs as Steeton were under the cosh for most of the 45 minutes.

The equaliser would come just seven minutes into the second half as the visitors failed to clear their lines.

After a free-kick was given against Jonny Hodgkinson, the initial delivery was cleared before a cross into the area went straight at Cross.

The Steeton keeper would spill the ball upon landing among a sea of bodies before a half clearance would fall at the feet of Brad Hancock to smash his side level.

Jeffrey was desperately unlucky as a dipping free-kick over the wall would come back off the crossbar.

Cross would make a number of crucial saves, as would his opposite number with a superb save to deny Walne from range a particular highlight, with penalties required after the completion of the regulation 90.

Despite Cross saving the first attempt from the opposition, things would go downhill for the Chevrons after that.

The home side would score the remainder of their spot kicks while two misses ended Steeton hopes.