FA Vase sixth round replay: COLNE 2 EASTWOOD TOWN 1

COLNE produced another great battling performance to reach the FA Vase semi-final last night despite only arriving at Eastwood five minutes before the scheduled kick-off.

Then, after a short delay of 15 minutes, they had to endure another tense encounter with their Nottingham opponents, who missed a penalty with two minutes left.

Following Saturday's 4-4 draw at Holt House, the last thing travel-weary Colne, who were held up on the M62 on the way to Coronation Park, needed was another extra time period.

But they held on and secured a two-legged semi-final with last year's runners-up AFC Sudbury.

In conditions that were difficult, with snow falling, the Reds had to dig in for the first 10 minutes as Eastwood looked for an early breakthrough.

Playing on the break, Colne nearly went ahead when Carl Haworth turned in the box before shooting just wide.

The breakthrough came on 17 minutes when a Gavin Cooper cross found Vase hit-man Ian Simpson, who kept up his record of scoring in every round he has played in by beating the keeper from inside the box.

Colne then came under pressure as the home side went in search of an equaliser.

Ross Baxter was forced into action to preserve the lead as the Reds relied on breakaways as the half came to a close.

The second period was not pretty as Colne had to endure constant pressure but a superb defence protected the lead.

And the Reds were in dreamland on 78 minutes when Simpson closed down the home defenders and Scott Gizon picked up the loose ball to fire home the second.

Eastwood were reduced to 10 men at the same time when Fisher was dismissed for a foul on Simpson.

Colne were found wanting in defence for the first time on 84 minutes when Nazha pulled a goal back for the home side with a quickly taken free kick from the edge of the area.

The Reds were hanging on for the final minutes, with Baxter making two brilliant saves to protect the lead.

With two minutes of injury time left, Eastwood were awarded a harsh penalty and the Colne fans were silenced for the first time on the night.

Nazha stepped forward to take the spot-kick but, to the relief of Colne fans, fired it wide.

The final whistle saw the Reds celebrate with the travelling support and move within a two-legged semi-final of repeating the Dynamoes' 1988 final appearance.

Manager Nigel Coates and player-chairman James Webster were over the moon with the result and thanked the travelling fans for their support.

Webster said: "We are now putting the club and the town back on the map, but it will be a hectic end to the season.

"I said when we started the Vase run that Nigel might be our talisman and we now believe we can go all the way."