IT WAS heartbreak for Basingstoke Town as it took a sudden death penalty shoot-out for Winchester City to knock the holders out of this year’s Hampshire Senior Cup.

The Dragons managed to claw their way back into the game in the dying minute thanks to Callum Bunting, having let a 2-0 lead slip, but heroics from debuting goalkeeper Giodano Zabotti saw Terry Brown’s men depart 5-4 on penalties from the competition they won last year.

The opening exchanges of the game were cagey, on what appeared to be a hard surface at The Simplyhealth City Ground, with neither side really getting a clear sight of goal until 14 minutes into the game. Pat Cox set the ball for Liam Gilbert on the edge of the Town box, but he could only rifle his shot wide for the hosts.

With a lot of the play happening around the penalty areas for both sides, there were no clear indication as to where the opening goal would come from.

However, on 28 minutes the deadlock was broken when a good advantage was played allowing Sam Smart to run down the right, his drilled cross found Jack McKnight who had the simple task of guiding the ball into the net.

Town were looking for an immediate second when another Smart cross found Bunting who was bundled over but the calls for a penalty fell on deaf ears.

The visitors would have to wait until the second half and the 55th minute to extend their lead.

A long throw bounced in the area, finding McKnight who showed good strength to hold off his marker and fire home.

With a two-goal lead, the Dragons took their foot off the gas a little and this allowed the hosts to increase the pressure on Zabotti’s goal.

The Reds were causing all kinds of problems from set-pieces and it was from a long throw on the right which saw them halve the deficit; Liam Gilbert firing in from the edge of the box.

Two more set-pieces led to two more goals for the hosts as Rob Flooks and Joe Cook put City in front with just two minutes to play.

But Town weren’t letting their crown slip just yet.

With with the last kick of normal time, Bunting rose highest to meet a cross from the right to make it 3-3 at the final whistle.

With penalties deciding Town’s fate, young keeper Zabotti put the visitors in a great position by saving Winchester’s first two spot-kicks. However, Town couldn’t take advantage and skied their opening two.

It eventually came down to sudden death, with Winchester keeper Ryan Pryce guessing right, leading to huge celebrations for the hosts and heartbreak for the visitors.