The Highwaymen exited the Integro League Challenge Cup in heartbreaking fashion as they went down 4-3 on penalties to Marske United after it finished goalless after 90 minutes.

Curtis Round was the hero for the hosts as his penalty decided the shootout to send Marske into the fourth round.

The hosts started the match brighter as they looked to control tempo and possession but it was the Highwaymen who fashioned the first opportunity on 9 minutes. A free kick was clipped into the box and a fine header from Michael Turner was clawed away before Jack Foalle hit the bar with the follow up.

As the half wore on, Town came more into the game with Wayne Phillips looking to dictate play. Halfway through the half, Phillips was able to drive forward but his rasping drive was off target and over the bar.

Two minutes later and Sean Taylor tried his luck but his effort was again over the bar. A series of chances followed but these were all off target as Robert Dean was able to calm the pressure.

As we approached the interval, Dan Lowson was called into action as a cross into the box found an unmarked Jamie Owens who saw his header palmed away before the follow up was blasted over the bar.

The second half saw less chances but Lowson was the busier of the two ‘keepers as Marske looked to up the pressure.

Craig Gott was the key instigator for the hosts and he forced Lowson into another fine save as he reacted to push the effort up and over the bar.

The game finished goalless and spared the fans the agony of another 30 minutes in the freezing conditions. Joe Walton, Foalle and David Carson netted for the Highwaymen before Dean produced two fantastic saves to deny Tom Potter and Taylor.

The Highwaymen return to league action on Saturday when they welcome a resurgent Cleethorpes Town at Craik Park. Kick-off is 3pm.

 

MARSKE UNITED: Dean, Martin (Brockbank, 85), O’Sullivan, Owen, May, Wheatley (c), Hillerby (Rowbotham, 77), Gott, Round, Owens, Plant (Waters, 77).

SUBS NOT USED: Butterworth, Watson

GOALS: N/A

 

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Danny Carson, Turner (Forster, 90), Phillips (c), Petrache, Mott (J. Henderson, 74), Taylor, Graydon (Potter, 71), Foalle, David Carson, Walton.

SUBS NOT USED: Tsapalos, Sayer.

GOALS: N/A

 

MAN OF THE MATCH: David Carson