BOSS John Fisher admitted there was more than an element of good fortune about Highworth Town’s 3-2 extra-time win over Melksham Town in the Wiltshire Cup quarter-finals.

Melksham dominated the first 45 minutes at The Elms and goals from Gary Stevens and Dan Kovacs put them firmly in control.

A huge moment of controversy then arrived just before the break which left Melksham manager Darren Perrin fuming.

Highworth keeper Gary Stevens charged off his line and clattered into Kovacs on the edge of the box, but despite the linesman appearing to flag for a foul against the keeper, the referee awarded the free-kick the other way.

Fisher introduced Josh Fowler and Liam Edmondson at half-time as the home side looked for a way back into the game, which soon arrived when Dan Drewitt found the net.

Highworth dominated the remainder of the game and got their rewards with virtually the last kick of normal time. Melksham were unable to clear their lines and the ball dropped at the feet of TJ Bohane, who fired the game into extra-time.

The visitors were now shell shocked and Liam Edmondson completed the comeback when he headed home the winner.

“At half-time I thought we were out of the Cup,” Fisher told the Adver.

“We had a lucky escape as the keeper could easily have been sent off. Nine times out of then I think he would have been but the ref said he gave a high foot against their striker.

“I didn’t really have strong words at half-time, I just made a few changes. The pitch was a bit heavy and didn’t really suit us and I felt we needed to be a bit more direct, and thankfully it paid off.

“We were poor in the first half but were the better side in the second. I don’t think they had a shot and we could have had a few more goals in truth.

“We didn’t get the second goal until a minute to go and that sucked the life out of them to be honest. Fair play to the lads, they don’t know when they’re beat right now.

“Their manager was not happy because we probably should have had ten men but it’s not our fault, they were 2-0 up after all.”

Highworth return to Hellenic League action for the first time in a fortnight on Tuesday when they travel to Flackwell Heath in the Premier Division.