Holders Hartley Wintney bowed out of the Aldershot Senior Cup after losing out on penalties against Alton.

The match was switched to the 3G pitch at Alton following bad weather.

After a quiet opening half-hour Hartley gained an edge and opened the scoring on 35 minutes. A free kick was awarded some 25 yards out and Matt Drage stepped up to send the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net. (0-1)

Alton pulled level four minutes later, thanks to getting the benefit of a questionable refereeing decision. Richard Jones for the Row looked to have been badly fouled and most players paused including the Row defence awaiting for the award of a free kick.

However the whistle did not sound and this enabled Alton strikers Tommy Reffell and Trevor Caborn a free run clear on goal. Reffell drew the Row goalie Damian Niemczycki before passing to Trevor Caborn who shot home. (1-1)

The Row held the edge for most of the second period but without testing Alton keeper Lewis Mees. On 64 minutes the home side went ahead following a decent move through the middle. This ended with Richie Hunter setting up Tommy Reffell who shot into the roof of the net (2-1)

The lead lasted just four minutes. From a free kick Steven Duff played a pass down the side of the wall to Paul Hodges who shot the Row level when his effort found the corner of the net (2-2)

There being no further score the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out.

The first nine penalty kicks were all scored.

Oli Page, AN Other, Ed Dryden, George Bowerman and Scott Sanderson were successful for Alton. Paul Hodges, Anis Nuur, Steven Duff, Harrison Bayley for Hartley. The final kick for the Row saw Lewis Mees save Antonio Dembele’s kick. This enabled the home side to progress into the next round.