GARETH Davies was a proud man as his Fairford Town side came from 2-0 down to beat local Hellenic Premier rivals Highworth Town on penalties.

Highworth looked like they would run away with the tie as they raced into a 2-0 lead, through Nathan Blackford and then Nathan Gambling.

Fairford did not put in their best performance in the first half, but they managed to go into the turnaround all square. Lewis Petrie with a quick-fire brace providing hope.

After the break Fairford improved, but neither side could add another. In extra time a lovely strike from substitute Dan Hale put the home side ahead.

Highworth were awarded a penalty 20 minutes into extra-time, but Ben Mitchell saved from TJ Bohane to keep the Fairford lead intact.

With minutes to go the Worthians showed their cup mettle, as Liam Edmonson poked home from close range to send the game to penalties.

In the shootout Mitchell was the saviour once more. Bohane missed in between two saves from Blackford and Lee Beale, to the delight of Davies.

“I couldn’t give you a man of the match because they were all immense,” said the Cinder Lane boss.

“Some of them couldn’t even walk at the end, but they got their rewards. I couldn’t be any prouder of them.

“I have to give credit Ben Mitchell, the goalkeeper. He was absolutely immense. One of his penalty saves was absolutely ridiculous.

“It was going in the bottom corner a quite a pace and Ben dived to his left and he’s tapped it up, it’s gone off the bar and out. I don’t know how he’s done it.

“It was like something you would see off the telly.

“So that was the fourth penalty. The lad that stepped up to take their fifth (Beale), it would worry me I’d be thinking ‘what have I got to do put it past him?’ I think it might have got to him a little bit.”

Just to focus on the shootout would be a disservice to Fairford’s display in normal time. Having been two goals down to a side from the league above they showed great spirit to rally.

Although their own manager was not impressed despite gaining parity before the break.

“I don’t want to sound disrespectful, but the first half was the worst we have played in a long time,” added Davies.

“At 2-0 we were in a bit of trouble. To play so badly and to get ourselves back into the game it was a bonus.

“Highworth are a very good side and I think our lads were a little bit overwhelmed and showed them too much respect.

“So we just went in and said to them, you’re still in the game and it’s just 11 blokes against 11 blokes, you have nothing to lose.

“Second half we were decent, a much better performance and we were the better side.

“I think we should have won the game before it went to penalties.”