Atherton LR could hold their heads high despite the agony of a shootout exit in the FA Vase on Saturday.
They took United Counties League Bourne Town all the way to penalties before bowing out at the last-16 stage.
LR held out for 22 minutes before a break on the right allowed Bourne’s Dan Flack to float a cross over the box which found Tom Siddons. He then laid it off for Zac Allen to hit a half-volley past Joe Bickerstaffe and open the scoring for the Wakes.
Bourne’s momentum allowed for a corner just seven minutes later, a near-post cross by Will Bird which met the head of Paul Malone who headed straight into the back of the net to double the visitors’ advantage
However, LR came out from the break and looked full of heart and desire, and this was backed up up in the 57th minute.
A lofted through ball by Joe Bacon found Tom Romano who broke through, and battling with three defenders, slotted it past the keeper. It struck the post, but Romano despatched the rebound and it was game on again.
And 18 minutes later, LR were level. A passing roulette ended on the left wing with Dan Lenehan supplying a cross which found Romano. His header was saved brilliantly by keeper Dan Swan, however Kyle Robinson-Murray was quick to put the ball back across the line and Ryan Talbot nicked it in to level the tie.
The game went to penalties, LR with the experience overcoming Ashton Town back in the third round in a shootout.
However, it was Swan who was the hero for the Wakes, denying Robinson-Murray to win the shootout and see Bourne Town into the last eight.
It was disappointing for the hosts but proud manager, Dave Jones, showed appreciation to his side and praised just how big an achievement their progress had been.
He said: “It was a really good cup tie.
“I thought the first half they (Bourne) were really good, they’re effective and we struggled with it in the first half.
“I’ve seen the support grow in the competition, the belief which includes players and staff.
“If you look at it from 593 teams to the last 16 teams, Atherton LR were the last step-six side, the last North West side - that makes me extremely proud of the group.”
LR are next in action tonight in the quarter-final of the Edward Case Cup away against Cheadle Heath (7.45pm).
