Match Report sponsored by Northumbria Print.

Dan Lowson was the hero for Morpeth on Tuesday evening as he performed heroics in a penalty shootout. The ‘keeper made two saves and scored his own penalty as Town advanced after squandering a 2-0 lead in 90 minutes writes Sam Donovan

Ryan Hutchinson and Jack Foalle had Morpeth ahead at the interval but the hosts hit back through Iwan Murray and Ryan Brooke to force penalties.

Morpeth started the brighter side and created the first real opportunity on 8 minutes. Andrew Johnson scampered down the wing and cut inside before he fizzed a shot that cleared the crossbar.

On 12 minutes, a long ball over the top allowed allowed Jack Foalle to break forward but in the act of shooting he slipped which allowed the ‘keeper to make the save at the second attempt.

The hosts responded and Lycett headed wide from a corner before Town sprung a counter-attack with Connor Oliver testing the ‘keeper.

The opening goal on 28 minutes as Ryan Hutchinson was able to scramble the ball home following a goalmouth melee.

The hosts had a chance to level things up, but it was a Morpeth player who almost drew them level as Stephen Forster saw his attempted clearance come back off the bar.

The Highwaymen extended their lead just before the interval as Jack Foalle made a surging run across the box to flick home a corner by Liam Noble.

The Linnets started the second half on the front foot as Dan Lowson was called into action as he was forced to save from Iwan Murray and Brooke.

Murray was able to get a goal back for the home side on 57 minutes as he was given time and space to angle a low drive across Lowson and into the bottom corner.

Just as Morpeth would like to get some possession and try to take some of the sting out of Runcorn, the hosts levelled as Brooke finished from inside the 6yd box to level the game.

There was to be very few chances as the game progressed with Runcorn looking the most likely of the two sides to score the winner.

In the 89th minute, Liam Henderson had an opportunity for Morpeth but he dragged his shot wide of the post.

With no winning goal forthcoming, the game moved straight to penalties and given the recent chequered past that the Highwaymen have had with penalties this season, there was a sense of caution around the Morpeth players.

Dan Lowson was the be the hero in the shootout as he made two important stops as well as netting his own penalty. Liam Henderson and Liam Noble also converted to send the Highwaymen into the FA Trophy second round.

Starting XI: Lowson, Forster, Reid, Phillips, Hutchinson, Turner, Foalle (Walton, 75’), Oliver, L. Henderson, Noble, Johnson (Leonard, 82’)

Subs not Used: Mohammed, Williams, Lake, Walker.

Goals: Hutchinson 28’, Foalle 41’.

Shootout: Henderon (Y), Walton (N), Oliver (N), Noble (Y), Lowson (Y).