By Ashley Houghton
Nantwich Town crashed out of the Cheshire Senior Cup at the first hurdle as they were defeated 4-2 by League One leaders Tranmere Rovers.
The Dabbers failed to progress in a tournament they won for the third time last season, despite leading twice.
Sean Cooke, who was outstanding throughout, struck a sublime opener for Nantwich and Si Everall looked to have secured the points ten minutes from time after Josh Lane’s own goal had levelled the score.
Rovers substitute Oscar Durnin equalised for the Merseysiders four minutes from time and then gave the visitors the lead early in the first-half of extra time.
Joe Thompson wrapped the tie up late into extra-time as Nantwich were left rueing missed chances with only the Doodson Sports Cup left as possible silverware.
Chris Flynn returned to a Nantwich side that lacked experience with this week’s departures of Rod McDonald and Lewis Short.
Jimmy Quinn’s side dominated the early stages with Cooke twice going close and Everall also forcing a save from Jason Mooney.
The deadlock was broken five minutes before half-time as Cooke twisted and turned 25 yards from goal before bending an elegant left-foot strike into the corner.
A similar pattern of the Dabbers season followed as just five minutes into the second-half Lane unfortunately volleyed into his own goal from Jake Kirby’s cross.
Nantwich thought they had progressed when Everall latched onto Mark Beesley’s pass and slotted home ten minutes from time.
Durnin had other ideas though and four minutes from the close struck into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
It was Durnin who grabbed the third for the visitors ten minutes into extra-time as he hammered home after Jon Brain had made a fantastic double save.
The tie was wrapped up in the final stages as Thompson slotted home Abdulai Bell-Baggie’s cut-back.
Nantwich now travel to Hednesford in the EvoStik Northern Premier League on Saturday.
Nantwich: Brain, Maguire, Flynn (Hassall, 115), Hughes, Dicker, Moss ©, Cooke, Lane, Everall (Campbell, 90), Wilson (Beesley, 74), Guest. Subs: Wain, Ringstead.
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