Goalkeeper Thomas Wallbank was the unlikely goal-scoring hero as St Joseph's clinched a dramatic shoot-out victory.

For the Saints stopper held his nerve to thump home the fifth and final spot kick to beat Barrowford Celtic -- and that was after keeping out two penalties of his own.

Wallbank saved from Spencer Jordan and Edward Foulds before showing the outfield players how to do it and overshadowing the hat-trick scored by team-mate Martin McCauley.

It was a dramatic end to a cup tie that was spoilt by a stodgy pitch.

For despite six goals going in from open play both teams were prevented from anything that resembled free-flowing football.

The Saints caught Celtic cold with an early goal after Jake Dowling cut in from the right and fed McCauley who spun superbly and fired past Alex Woodcock.

Dowling and big centre back Daniel Worthington had surging runs ended with last ditch tackles as Celtic appeared to have their collective minds elsewhere.

But Rudi Lockett awoke them from their slumber with a well struck equaliser from the edge of the area. Skipper Scott Matthews had an acrobatic volley cleared off the line but from the resulting corner, skied a much easier chance.

Celtic took their resurgent form in to the second half and Wallbank was forced in to a good save from Matthews. However, St Joseph's regained their lead.

Danny Green, who had a fine game in the middle of the park, released McCauley who surged past his marker and lifted the ball over Woodcock.

There was little action of any note until Celtic equalised in bizarre circumstances.

Neil Harries whipped in a free kick which was deflected off a defender and squirmed past the out-stretched Wallbank.

Both sides had chances to win it in normal time.

Jonny Lineker forced a fine save out of Woodcock in the Celtic goal after latching on to Anton Nield's's wayward shot before Spencer Jordan crashed a shot against the Saints' crossbar.

St Joseph's moved in to the lead for a third time when McCauley took advantage of uncertainty in the Celtic defence to crack a shot past Woodcock. But Celtic again showed they weren't prepared to lie down and Jordan thumped home a superb free kick to force a penalty shoot-out.

Nield converted the first kick for the Saints and Celtic responded through Gulio Enea. McCauley dispatched his kick before Wallbank made his first save from Jordan. Lineker and Harries exchanged successful spot kicks before Woodcock savd from Nick Fender.

But Celtic's hopes of drawing level were dashed by Wallbank who saved from Foulds before shooting home the winning penalty.

ST JOSEPH'S: Thomas Wallbank, Mark Hughes, Morgan Hargreaves, Daniel Worthington, Jonny Lineker, Anton Nield, Jayden Herrett, Adam McGuinness, Danny Green, Martin McCauley, Jake Dowling. Subs: Nick Fender, Daniel Haworth.

BARROWFORD CELTIC: Alex Woodcock, Martin Shaw, Lawrence Howard, Liam Dunleavy, Neil Harries, Callum Wilson, Spencer Jordan, Matthew Fogg, Scott Matthews, Gulio Enea, Rudi Lockett. Subs: Andrew Hudson, Bradley Buksh, Jack Noble, Edwards Foulds.