PORTHMADOG bowed out of the JD Welsh Cup on penalties after an epic third round tie against Huws Gray Cymru Alliance rivals Airbus Broughton at the Airfield.

In terrible weather conditions, the match went the full distance before finishing 1-1 - but the Wingmakers ultimately held their nerve to win the spot kick showdown 4-2.

The visitors played the extra time period with only 10 men following Jay Gibbs’ dismissal but, even at that late stage, both teams had chances to clinch the victory.

The penalty shoot-out went Airbus’ way, despite a superb save by Paul Pritchard to keep out Joe Palmer’s spot kick, and it was Lewis Buckley who converted the last spot kick to claim victory.

“It was a proper cup tie, and I thought it could’ve gone either way in normal time,” said Port boss Craig Papirnyk.

“I can’t give my lads enough credit, they showed real heart, desire and character to stay in the game with just 10 men on the pitch, and we had our chances to win it.

“But it wasn’t to be, and all the best to Airbus in the next round. As always a huge thanks to the travelling supporters who turned up in their numbers again.

“It was awful conditions, but they stuck right behind the lads until the end.”

In a howling gale, with rain of monsoon proportions driving down the pitch into keeper Paul Pritchard’s face, Port struggled to escape out of their own half.

An Asa Hamilton scorcher thundered against the post on 30 minutes, and a minute later a neat one-two on the edge of the box created a chance for Buckley, but he fired low and wide from 18 yards.

Porthmadog survived their siege and then actually caught the home team with a perfect sucker punch on 32 minutes.

Tomos Emlyn’s deep cross reached Sion Edwards, whose low cross was turned in at the near post by Julian Williams, and they held a 1-0 advantage at the interval.

Airbus started strongly in the second half and on the hour Ryan Edwards unleashed a powerful low shot which drew a fine save from Pritchard at full stretch.

They got their reward on 75 minutes, however, as a Leo Riley shot from the edge of the box struck the crossbar and Lewis Buckley pounced on the rebound to guide his shot past keeper Pritchard.

In the tension of battle, tempers became frayed and when a Jay Gibbs free kick was charged down he probably said too much and was yellow-carded as a result.

Things flared again minutes later when, following a skirmish, Gibbs was shown a straight red on advice of the linesman.

Port faced extra-time with 10 men in worsening conditions, but both sides had chances to win it, with Asa Hamilton having a couple of heading opportunities.

Late on a good save was needed to keep out a shot from the ever-dangerous Curtis Strong, whilst for Port Iwan Lewis put in Gruff John, but his shot went wide.

Dan Dascalu also failed to hit the target, and the match was decided on penalties.

Hamilton and Ceri James both netted, as did Curtis, but Gruff John hit the bar. Phil Clarke and Julian Williams also netted, but Pritchard pulled off a great save.

Shaun Cavanagh had a chance to level, but his spot kick went over the bar leaving Lewis Buckley to seal the victory.

PORTHMADOG: P Pritchard, G J Williams, C James, I Price, J Banks, T Emlyn (R Evans 78 minutes), J Gobbs, I Emlyn (D Dascalu 98’), I Lewis, J Williams, S Edwards (S Cavanagh 65’). Unused substitutes: R Taylor, S Parry.

AIRBUS UK: D Roberts, B McGillowy, C Strong, S Tomassen, J Palmer, P Clarke, R Edwards, L Buckley, A Hamilton, L Riley, J Chaplin. Subs used: S Pawlak, J Hooper. Unused substitutes: D Taylor, H Ellis, Langeley.