CAMMELL Laird achieved a hard fought but well deserved First Round victory in the Macron Cup away at Eccleshall on Wednesday evening.
Despite a depleted squad, Jamie Leyland put Lairds ahead in the first half and Lairds had to defend gallantly once the home team equalised in the second period.
The visitors managed to hold on for a 1-1 draw to take the game to a penalty shoot-out which they won 4-3. On target from the spot were Ricci Neill, Jack Wood, Josh Henry-Reid and Tom Murray.
Lairds continued their renewed good form on Saturday when entertaining high flying Alsager Town, but some baffling decisions throughout the game eventually caused a defeat that was hard to accept.
Lairds opened brightly and within six minutes went ahead through a great goal as Jack Kelly beat the keeper from distance with a lofted shot.
Kelly continued to cause panic in the visitors defence and was ably supported by Daren Askew and Haydn Cooper from midfield.
The back four easily repelled any counter attacks with Murray and Dan Hardman showing real class throughout with solid performances. Lairds could have finished the first half 2-0 ahead but a header from Henry-Reid in the final minute went agonisingly wide.
Second half action was a bit more even, but Lairds always looked more likely to score, until in the 63rd minute a breakaway by Eccleshall saw them have their first effort on goal as Kieran Hamm scored the equaliser on his return to his previous team.
The game now ebbed and flowed, but official's decisions were still disrupting play, with none more baffling in the 93rd minute when allowing Hamm to re-enter play within ten seconds instead of the stipulated 30 following injury with the same player then scoring the winning goal after a scramble to add insult to injury.
Lairds felt totally aggrieved, especially as they had played an excellent game in trying conditions and were deserving of more for their efforts.
Lairds next fixture is at the KRCT Stadium in the Edward Case Cup 1st round on Tuesday, October 8 versus Stockport Georgians with a 7.45pm kick off.
Lairds U-23s claimed a creditable 4-3 victory away against Heswall U-23s in an end-to-end encounter as Adam Larway netted twice, with Leo Patten and Jack Gordon adding a goal apiece.
Their next fixture is home versus Sutton Rangers on Saturday, October 11.
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