WATCHET went out of the Somerset County Senior Cup last Saturday when they lost a penalty shootout in their third round tie away to Nailsea United.

After normal time had finished goalless, Watchet led 2-0 with seven minutes of extra time remaining, only to be pegged back and taken to penalties following a controversial Nailsea equaliser in the dying moments.

Fielding an inexperienced midfield compared to their hosts, Watchet took a while to settle and Nailsea had the better of the opening half playing up the slope.

The visitors defended stoically at times, with Jamie Milton again a tower of strength at the heart, supported by Matt Heywood, the home side’s main threat coming down their flanks with left winger Hope’s trickery a constant menace.

Watchet threw bodies in the way when necessary, but there were few on-target attempts from the home side and the visitors grew in confidence, with Ian Lowe twice getting clear on the left only for his pull-backs to go begging and Milton advancing to shoot over the angle of bar and post.

With the interval approaching, keeper Adam Bishop produced two outstanding saves to keep his side on level terms, diving full length to his right to beat out a fierce drive from Bell then plunging down to his left to turn a close-range effort away for a corner.

Play was more even after the break with Watchet continuing to work hard all-round to deny their opponents as well as spending more time in the Nailsea half.

A neat passing move led to Aaron Deeks supplying Lowe with an inviting pass inside the area but the keeper saved his shot.

Hope weaved his way in at the other end to have his shot deflected wide of the far post, and the visitors survived a couple more goalmouth scrambles before Lowe was denied again from a similar position.

Twice Heywood’s headed interventions required saving by Bishop – the second at full stretch was tipped onto the goal frame before being cleared.

Milton’s long throws caused problems for the home defence and a melee in the closing minutes almost paid dividends with a late winner for the visitors.

Into extra time, Watchet went ahead when a half-clearance found 16-year-old substitute Sam Bruford, making his senior debut, 25 yards out and as soon as the ball left his right foot it was destined for the top corner of the net as it sailed beyond the keeper’s despairing dive.

The lead was doubled just before the teams changed around when Ryan Strong’s diagonal chip into the area found Tom Sparks for once in space, and although the keeper got both hands to his header, the striker followed up to tap into the empty net.

Nailsea refused to give in and midway through the final period pulled one back when the visitors were caught with too many forward and a quick break led to Bishop parrying the initial shot, but Lee was on hand to nod the loose ball home.

Fate then turned against Watchet in the last minute when Bishop looked to be impeded by a Nailsea player as he went to make a routine catch from a corner and the ball reached Driver, who drilled it through a ruck of players to spark home celebrations while visiting protests went unheeded by the official.

Bishop saved the first Nailsea penalty, but Watchet missed their first two and although another debutant Mike Bailey and Charley Clausen were then successful and Bishop made another superb stop to leave it 2-2 after four kicks each, the home side progressed into the next round by scoring their fifth before keeper Smith made the save which decided the issue.

Watchet: A Bishop, R Strong, M Heywood, J Milton, C Sully, A Clausen, C Clausen, C Jeromson, I Lowe, A Deeks, T Sparks, subs M Bailey, S Bruford (both used).

l Tomorrow (Saturday) brings more cup action as the Red and Blacks entertain Division One East leaders Brislington Reserves in the league knockout cup at the Memorial Ground (ko 2pm).

With midfielder Jason Worth ruled out for a few weeks through injury, Watchet will be hoping to have Ben Robinson fit again.