NOT even nine successive successful penalty kicks could help Ramsbottom into the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy as they bowed out of the competition in dramatic circumstances.
The Rams drew 2-2 with Ashton United for the second time in the space of four days on Tuesday night but fell to a 10-9 penalty shoot-out defeat as 19 spot kicks were successfully converted before home goalkeeper Grant Shenton saw his effort saved.
Matthew Chadwick put the visitors in front early on but David Kuba-Kuba levelled before the break.
Ashton were back ahead shortly after the interval thanks to Adam Morning but Kuba-Kuba again earned parity.
There was no separating the sides in extra time and it took the drama of penalties to determine a winner.
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