Rustington win thriller to reach last four

However, Wimbleton’s late heroics told only half the tale, as Lancers, who finished the match with nine men, led 3-1 deep into injury-time and, even when Matt Huckett slotted in a 92nd-minute penalty, it seemed time was against Blues. They mustered one last attack, however, and Ross Adams kept a cool head to latch onto Dan Jones’ pass and fire home the leveller.

Lancing had taken the lead in the fourth minute when Darren Annis headed home Wayne Joseph’s cross and they have a habit this season of crushing teams after going ahead early on. But Rustington are clearly made of sterner stuff and, soon afterwards, the lively Huckett saw a half-chance stifled by Lancing keeper Jason Downer.

Lancers’ Ben Lucas’ header was scrambled away from close range by Chris Green, and Richard Hudson was denied by impressive 19-year-old Rustington debutant keeper Jack Bonetti, who joined from Ferring on Friday, in a sluggish first half.

The next goal would be crucial and it was Blues who got it on 55 minutes when James Bennett profited from lax marking to touch home Simon Clayton’s inswinging free kick.

Parity did not last long, though, with Lancers going back ahead six minutes later. Chris Hibberd’s free kick was met by Lee Garnham, and his goalbound header flicked in off Wimbleton.

Lancing seemingly sealed their semi-final spot 12 minutes from time when Dan McLoughlin’s header deflected in off the again unfortunate Wimbleton.

Given Lancers’ winning habit this season, there seemed no way back for Rustington, but Lancing had clearly not accounted for Blues’ indomitable spirit and determination.

Chris Darwin fired a warning sign when he headed over, but Lancers then squandered a golden chance when Dan Turner fired straight at Bonetti.

From what should have been 4-1, Blues broke and paved the way for Huckett’s spot-kick strike when George Sayers was fouled by the back-tracking Tom Pickford. Adams then hit the unlikely leveller to take the tie into extra-time.

Both sides traded chances before Dan Griffin seemingly killed off Rustington once more when he steered home from close range from fellow substitute Jack Hayward’s pass. But, again, Blues refused to lie down and Adams swept home his second five minutes into the second half of the additional 30 minutes.

Instead of settling for a draw, and a subsequent replay, Blues continued to press and when Darwin’s cross found its way to Wimbleton, he bundled it in to send Rustington into raptures.

McLoughlin was then harshly dismissed for a second booking, and Lucas also saw red, as Blues survived three frantic minutes to progress.

Euphoric Rustington boss Brett Torode said: “We showed incredible spirit, determination and desire.

“I don’t think they were expecting it as they’ve had an easy ride really in the league. I thought we’d lost it at 3-1, but we were terrific. Jack, our keeper, was fantastic and everyone was superb.”

RUSTINGTON: Bonetti; Sayers, Green, Neal, Wimbleton; Jones; Huckett, Clayton, Bennett, Boxall; Kirkham. Subs: Darwin (Boxall 65), Adams (Kirkham 77), O’Connor (Clayton 90), Woodward, Withers.