Moors’ Under-18s side were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup on penalties by Workington on Friday night despite producing a spirited display at Borough Park.

Mark McGinley’s youngsters did the Club proud during their trip to Cumbria and came agonisingly close to setting up a home tie with Hartlepool United in the next round.

However, after battling to a 1-1 draw on the night against their Workington counterparts, the tie was cruelly settled in sudden death in a dramatic penalty shootout.

The home side took the lead in the first half, but Moors came roaring back and went in on level terms when Ethan Peveller converted at the far post after a great ball across from Max Brandon.

A cagey second half produced little in the way of clear-cut opportunities and failed to deliver a decisive goal which meant the tie was decided on spot-kicks, which went in favour of the hosts 6-5.

“I’m so proud of the lads who continue to do the right things but hopefully we can take the lessons they learned on Friday into future games,” McGinley told us.

“We came up against a team who were very effective in their approach, and they got the result on the back of that, so we wish them well for an exciting tie against Hartlepool.

“We’re only two games into the current season so we just keep going. We’re building something positive here and plotting a path towards senior football for a very talented bunch.

“We spoke at length after the game and it’s behind us now.

“The bus ride home was a lively one and one of the lads even described the whole experience as the best night of his life.

“That’s football for you, because it can provide surprises even in defeat.”

Full Time: Workington 1 Moors 1 (6-5 after penalties)

Moors: Havelock, Wake, C Bell, O’Connor, McGinley, Peveller, Hughes, Griffiths, Docherty, Hewitt, Brandon.
Subs: Nelson, Campbell-McGinn, Avery, Delderfield, E Bell.