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Robins in extra time cup agony

THERE was a heavy dose of cup heartache for Budleigh Salterton as they lost a pulsating Graddon Vending Devon Premier Cup tie at Galmpton Gents by the odd goal in nine.

The first half gave no indication of the goal fest that was to follow for, apart from a 7th minute shot from David Wilkes that slipped just wide of an upright, there was precious little goalmouth drama at either end.

The second half was the complete opposite to the previous 45 minutes of action and it wasn't long after the re-start that Tim Nield slotted home after eil Pointing's shot cannoned back into play off a post.

The hosts levelled and it was harsh on young Robins' keeper Bradley Evans who made a superb save to deny a goal only for the ball to fall kindly to a Gents player who scored from close range.

Then came a double strike from Danny Williams, which gave the Robins a healthy 3-1 lead.

However the course of the game seemed to change in incidents at either end of the pitch.

Williams was presented with a gilt edged chance to seal a memorable hat-trick, and effectively the contest, but the chance went begging and within a couple of minutes the home side hit the net twice to level things up at 3-3.

But, with ten minutes remaining, Wilkes popped up to net his second and once again the Robins looked set, only for the home side, now reduced to ten men through injury, to level in the dying minutes to take the game into extra time.

During the extra half hour it was the South Devon side who scored what proved the be the final goal of the contest as they sealed a semi- final berth off the back of a 5-4 win to leave the battling Robins beaten.