NEW Gardeners were just 30 seconds away from going out of the LFA Sunday Trophy -- as it is they are now the last Blackburn Sunday League team left in!

For it was a late, late show from the Darwen club who grabbed a dramatic equaliser deep in to stoppage time to force extra time.

Whether super sub Corlo Cavello saw Grange keeper Glenn Miney stray off his line we'll never know as his cross-cum-shot drifted inside the far post to make it 3-3.

Up until then, it looked like Gardeners were following Lower Darwen out of the Trophy who lost 1-0 to Ingol on a neighbouring Pleasington pitch.

But Cavello's 'fluke' knocked the stuffing out of the young Wigan side and breathed new life in to New Gardeners who went on to score three times in extra time.

Gardeners were caught cold from the start from a lively Grange side when Martin Hughes fired home with barely a minute on the clock.

Hughes then fired across Craig Shannon's goal as his pace took him away from the Gardeners defence.

Gardeners took time to get in to the game but once Paddy Lauber got his foot on the ball and got his passing range in, they began to get on top.

He also had a fair old tussle with Grange's best player Andy Shawcross in the heart of midfield.

And they drew level on 24 minutes when skipper Dave Berry won the ball in midfield and found Jimmy Rasul whose cross was turned home from close range by Steve Whittaker.

Whittaker then had a header cleared off the line after rising to meet a deep cross from the excellent Glenn Ainsworth whose pace and trickery caused problems throughout the game. But Grange showed their ability on the counter attack and Martin Thomas was only denied a wonderful solo effort by an outstretched leg of Shannon.

It wasn't long before they regained the lead when the Gardeners defence was stretched and Hughes' fine cross was headed home by strike partner Roy Burgess.

With half time looming, Gardeners equalised for the second time when Miney failed to cut out Ainsworth's cross and Whittaker nodded in to an unguarded net.

Gardeners had a bright opening to the second half with Lauber running at pace at the Grange defence. But while they looked dangerous going forward, Gardeners were vulnerable at the back and so it proved midway through the half.

And Hughes carved open the defence to play in Burgess who cooly fired past Shannon.

The powerful running of Liam Taylor nearly brought another equaliser but after skipping past three players he fired over before Carl Turner had a chance to seal victory for Grange but he also missed the target.

With time ticking away, Lauber took control and exchanged passes with Rasul before finding Cavello lurking on the left whose cross floated home for yet another equaliser to force extra time.

Gardeners went ahead for the first time in the 92nd with Rasul raced clear and while Berry's shot was blocked, Rasul reacted quickest to swivel and score.

Then Martin Smith came to the rescue at the other end when he headed Chris Twist's effort off the line. With both sides tiring, New Gardeners seemed to settle the tie early in the second period of the extra time when Cavello raced clear of a static Grange defence to slide the ball under Miney for his second goal of the game.

But victory was secured five minutes later when Miney was again caught out when Rasul's cross floated straight in to the goal.

New Gardeners reward for their unexpected but remarkable victory is a trip to wind swept Barrow where they will be flying the solo for the Blackburn Sunday League.

LFA SUNDAY TROPHY 3RD RND

New Gardeners...6 Highfield Grange...3

(aet 3-3 at normal time)

NEW GARDENERS:

MANGER: STEVE BANKS

Craig Shannon (keeper) Back in the side and did a good job...6

Brian Ewen (right back) Exposed by lack of pace and subbed at the break...5

Nev O'Kane (left back) Linked up well with Glenn Ainsworth. Pushed forward with purpose...7

Martin Smith (centre back) Marshalled the back line superbly. Vital header off the line in extra time...7

Gavin Smiley (centre back) Took no prisoners and got away with it...6

Liam Taylor (right wing) Put in some good strong runs and worked hard...7

Glenn Ainsworth (left wing) Pace and skill made sure he was a constant threat throughout the game...7

HPaddy Lauber (centre midfield) Given licence to roam. Excellent vision from the Gardeners' play-maker...8

Dave Berry (centre midfield) Worked his socks off in midfield and hit crossbar with excellent scissor kick late on...7

Steve Whittaker (striker) Took his first half goals well before moving in to defence...7

Jimmy Rasul (striker) Used all his experience to lead the line and score twice in extra time...7

Subs

Corlo Cavello (striker) Off the bench to score twice. Can't ask more than that...7

Baz Leatherd (midfield) Did a good job when he came on...6

HIGHFIELD GRANGE:

MANAGER: COLIN SHAWCROSS

Glenn Miney (keeper) Bad day at the office and errors led to three goals...4

Rob Lowe (right back) Did a decent enough job but went off injured...6

Chris Twist (left back) Made some good passes down the flank...6

Stuart Twist (centre back) Not the biggest centre back but pace made sure made some great tackles...7

Keiron Unsworth (centre back) Solid display in defence...6

Carl Turner (right midfield) Fired over late on that could have put match beyond Gardeners...6

Andy Hodgkiss (left midfield) Looked dangerous but did not get the ball enough...6

HAndy Shawcross (centre midfield) Hot head in midfield but kept his team going...7

Martin Thomas (centre midfield) Surging run in first half typified his energetic display...7

Roy Burgess (striker) Took his two goals well and put himself about...7

Martin Hughes (striker) Opened the scoring and worked hard...7

Subs

Lee Jarvis (defence) Debutised well for Lowe when he came on...6