On a wet and cold Tameside evening, this UniBond One North v South encounter went the way of the local team but we had to wait until the much dreaded penalty shoot out before a winner could be decided, but there could be no complaints that it is the blue of Curzon who will travel to UniBond Premier League table-toppers Witton Albion in the next round.
The opening fifteen minutes was very much a sparring contest without either side troubling the respective keepers, but the home side began to exert more authority over the game and on 31 minutes that authority paid off as Dougie Pringle showed pace and power to take him down the left beyond Andy Taylor. His run to the bye-line and cross to the near post was met by Mike Norton who neatly tucked the ball beyond Lee Jones.
The Dabbers got straight back into the game three minutes into the second period as Paul Riley failed to win a challenge on Ashley Carter just inside his own half. Carter was quick to put space between himself and Riley and after an inter-change of passes with team mates, it was Carter who found himself inside the 18 yard area to drill the ball past David Carnell.
Both sides looked to end the game in 90 minutes, with Curzon the more likely to do so, but a further 30 minutes had to be endured.
The extra-time was non stop but in the final fifteen minutes it was only the frame of the goal that forced the penalty shoot-out, as Pringle hit an upright and Nick Allen, with a curling left-footed shot, watched his effort strike the face of the crossbar.
The penalty had both sides with perfect result until the third spot kick as Dabbers captain Richard Smith attempted to chip Carnell, but the Curzon keeper remained on his feet to catch the week effort. With the scores level on four all the vital fifth and final penalty fell to Rhodri Giggs, who drove the ball well beyond the reach of Jones.
So now Curzon face the task of competing with Premier League leaders Witton Albion, who top their division by nine points and who have a goal difference of 34 after just 18 games. A daunting task indeed, but one that the Blue half of Ashton will be looking forward too.