Matty Brown held his nerve from the spot as Halifax Town downed Gateshead to reach The FA Trophy semi-finals with a dramatic 5-4 victory on penalties at the Gateshead International Stadium.
Halifax will go on to face Nantwich Town in the two-legged semi-final after Brown beat Sam Russell from 12 yards with the decisive spot-kick following an enthralling 3-3 draw after extra-time.
Gateshead got off to the perfect start as they quickly broke following a Halifax corner and CJ Hamilton’s low cross eventually fell to Josh Gillies who blasted home from eight yards.
Gateshead 3-3 (aet) FC Halifax
Halifax win 5-4 on penalties
The FA Trophy
Fourth Round replay
Wednesday 2 March
Gateshead International Stadium
Winners to receive £8,000 from FA prize fund
But midway through the first half Kingsley James swept in Richard Peniket’s cutback to draw the Shaymen level and they could have led on the stroke of half-time only for Jordan Burrow’s downward header to strike the post.
The Heed started the second period in a similar manner to the first as Ryan Bowman stabbed home on 50 minutes but after the hosts had missed a slew of chances to put the game to bed, Halifax equalised in stoppage time when substitute Connor Hughes chipped Russell following a long ball forward.
Shaq McDonald gave the visitors their first lead of the night on 93 minutes when he fired a low effort into the corner before Gillies hammered in his second from 20 yards to make it 3-3 and force penalties.
After Danny Johnson had his effort saved in the shootout, McDonald had a chance to win the game for the Shaymen at 4-4 but hit the post before Heed captain Ben Clark blazed over the bar and Brown made no mistake to send the visitors through.
Tickets for The FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium are on sale now, priced at £25 for adults, £10 for concessions and just £1 for U16s.
The match takes place on Non-League Finals Day on Sunday 22 May, with The FA Vase Final included in the ticket price.
Call 0844 826 2010 or visit TheFA.com/Tickets to buy yours.
