TEN-MAN Llanidloes Town kept their flag flying in the JD Welsh Cup after overcoming adversity to defeat Welshpool Town following a penalty shootout at Maesydre.

After finishing 2-2 in normal time, and 3-3 after the extra period, the Daffs won the shootout 5-4 with goalkeeper Aaron Warrick converting the winning penalty to settle the second qualifying round tie.

Playing 90 minutes with 10 men after Josh Hartrick’s controversial dismissal for two cautions, Llani dug deep with Peter Rees, sub Gregg Brown and Llion Jenkins on target while a Ian Probert penalty and Will Thomas, with a brace, replied for the Lilywhites.

Boss Hugh Clarke was delighted to be through to the first round proper, particularly as his side had to contend with losing Hartrick on the half hour and Drew Reynolds and Peter Rees through injury.

"We showed tremendous character and organisation to get through with 10 men for 90 minutes, and showed what a good team we are," he said. "The workrate and commitment was second to none, and to win in those circumstances makes it all worthwhile.

"It was a great win for us in the end, everyone was buzzing in the dressing room afterwards, but it was a bad way for Welshpool to lose."

The Daffs had gone ahead when a Reynolds free kick was headed down by Jenkins and the predatory Rees smashed home.

Two of the players involved in the goal, Reynolds and scorer Rees were then both forced off with shin and groin injuries respectively.

Forward Hartrick, who had switched to right back, was then somewhat harshly sent off for his second caution following a foul on former Daffs defender Steve Jones to leave the visitors down to 10 men.

Boss Clarke had to reshuffle defensively with Ryan Biggs going to right back and Ed Clarke to left back, while Gareth Owen partnered assistant boss Adam Worton in the centre of defence.

There was more drama with keeper Warrick ruled to have fouled Ian Probert following a corner, with Probert converting the resulting penalty to leave the tie all square at the interval.

Substitute Brown then restored the lead after the break when firing across the keeper, but Pool were back on terms a second time as Thomas supplied the finish after the visitors had lost possession.

Matthew Savage almost snatched the win in normal time when his long range effort was denied by a fine save in the closing moments.

Pool got their noses back in front in the first period of extra time with a stunning volley from Thomas, but Llani took the tie into a penalty shootout when Jenkins headed in a George Clarke cross at the far post.

The drama continued in the shootout, with keeper Warrick saving from Thomas before dispatching the winning penalty himself to see the Daffs into the first round.

Earlier in the week, Llani were held 1-1 at home to Bow Street as they failed to make ground on the leaders in the MMP Mid Wales League division one.

After falling behind to Callum Ferreira’s stunning strike in the first half, the Daffs upped the ante after the break and earned parity when Gareth Owen converted a low free kick from Ed Clarke.

The Daffs, meanwhile, face another crunch game when they return to action in the MMP Mid Wales League division one on Saturday with a trip to one of their chief rivals Llanfair United (2.30).

Several players are likely to be missing, but Clarke will again be backing his squad to show their mettle.

LLANIDLOES Town (v Welshpool): A Warrick, R Biggs, G Owen, A Worton, D Reynolds (M Savage 28), D Allen, L Jenkins, E Clarke, J Hartrick, G Clarke, P Rees (G Brown 28). Sub not used: R Evans.