Bill Slee cup

South Zeal Utd 7

Phoenix 6

(2-2 after extra time)

HAVING lost 3-1 away to Tipton St John on Saturday with the only goal coming from Darren Gilbert, Zeal played Phoenix on the Sunday at the Recreation Ground in the quarter final of the cup.

With the pitch in a wet condition both teams decided to play and served up one of the best cup ties seen at Zeal for many a year.

Zeal started well against their illustrious oponents and should have gone ahead when the excellent Darren Gilbert broke several times down the left but last ditch tackles saved the day for Phoenix.

With Lee Gilbert, Garry Smith and Tim Sanderson more than coping with the visitors' attacks Phoenix went ahead, against the run of play, after 20 minutes when a long range shot slid off the wet goalmouth and off Sean Sendacott's arm into the net.

Zeal never stopped trying with Jamie Atherton laying on some great passes from midfield but again, against the run of play, the visitors went two up when Sean Sendacott downed a Phoenix striker in the penalty area and the resulting penalty put the visitors two up at half time.

With the wind and the slope with Zeal in the second half Zeal had a real go at Phoenix and hit the post twice through Lee Gilbert and Dan Wakeham before reducing the deficit when Scott Hooper turned in a cross from Roger White from close range.

As the clock ticked on it seemed that Zeal would never equalise but 10 minutes from time a cross come shot from Scott Hooper found the far top corner and but for a great save by the visitors' keeper that kept out a Darren Gilbert penalty the game would have been over.

In extra time it was all Zeal but no goals were scored and in the resulting penalty shoot out a great save by Sean Sendacott and a cool finish for Zeal's fifth penalty by Jamie Atherton put the home side through to the semi final.

• Next week South Zeal are at home to Lapford. Kick-off, 3pm.