Bath Make Trophy Progress After Late Night Penalty Shoot-Out Success

There was the curious situation of the officials having to delay the kick-off until 8.20pm due to the non-arrival on HOME players due to a traffic incident on the M2!

But it was the lower league side who took the lead on the half-hour mark when Dave Martin let fly from long-range and found the back of the net as the ball squirms through Bath keeper Luke Southwood's hands.

Margate deservedly held that lead until the break, but 8 minutes into the second half, Bath levelled when Jack Compton curled a fine free-kick into the top corner past Gate `keeper Patrick Lee.

Just shy of the hour-mark, Southwood prevented the Romans from falling behind again when he made a fine save to deny Jordan Chiedozie.

That proved crucial, as just 3 minutes later, Crompton put Bath in front with a 30-yard pile-driver.

With 11 minutes of normal time remaining though, a terrific volley from Lee Prescott put Margate level once more.

And in the 89th minute, the home side almost won it, but Southwood made a quick double save and sub Jay May rattled the bar with a header.

So, it was going to be an even later night as extra-time began and it was the hosts who came closest to preventing penalties when Frannie Collin crashed the ball against the crossbar after good work from sub Liam Enver-Marum.

But it was to a shoot-out which Bath triumphed 5-4 – although it was almost breakfast time on Wednesday morning when the team and supporters made it home from their 400-mile round trip!