AFTER 21 successfully converted penalties in the shootout at the end of the Kent Senior Trophy quarter-final, Tunbridge Wells bowed out as their final kick sailed over the bar.
With key players Ola Williams and Dane Moore cup-tied the Wells defence looked less robust than it had during their 11-game unbeaten run, which had ended the previous week.
After eight minutes St Peter opened the scoring with Scott Solomon getting the finishing touch on a long ball that eluded the Wells defence.
Tom Pearson levelled the scores five minutes later, only for Sam Denham to put the Jersey islanders in front again.
Harrison Carnegie equalised again with a fine solo effort but Callum Weir scored to put the visitors 3-2 ahead at half-time.
Wells were lacking their usual spark of late, but the second half was brightened by an equaliser from Jake Beecroft in the 70th minute.
There were no further goals, even as the match went into extra time, during which the Wells’ Perry Spackman received a straight red card for a reckless challenge.
St Peter kicked first in the shootout and went on to score all 11 of their kicks, and eventually the home side’s nerve faltered as the outfield players began their second round of efforts.
Tunbridge Wells are now away to AFC Croydon in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division on Saturday [January 26, kick-off 3pm].
Longest shoot-out since OK Corrall
The prolonged shootout at the Culverden Stadium brought back memories of the match against Littlehampton in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round in 2005 in which the Wells won the shootout 16-15 after 40 spot-kicks.
It remains the English record for the longest shootout in a senior cup match. In total the contest lasted three hours 10 minutes.
