Middleton Lads under nines Blue welcomed Little Lever Sports Club in the second round of the cup.

Playing opponents from a higher league and with several players missing, it was always going to be a tough call for the Middleton side, but they won through to book a place in the next round.

The Lads got off to a terrible start when they conceded early on. But they dug in and were soon back on level terms courtesy of a fine move calmly finished by Jack Crossley.

With spirits raised, Declan Hopkins found some space on the right before delivering a superb cros s that was handled in the area by a Little Lever defender, earning the Lads a penalty.

Crossley made no mistake with the spot kick to take the lads in at the break 2-1 up.

The second half was just as tight with the teams cancelling each other out but eventually Little Lever grabbed an equaliser to bring it all square at 2-2 .

The Lads went in search of a winner with some great work from Addison Holland and Corey Evitt to release Hopkins again. He hit a superb shot only to be denied by the foot of the post.

The Lads were again rewarded for their hard work when Crossley completed his hat-trick from close range to make it 3-2 .

Little Lever responded with a superb volley from 25 yards that looped over Luke Atkinson in the Lads net to make it 3-3.

With extra time & penalties looming, the Lads raised the tempo again to be rewarded with another penalty kick which Crossley again made no mistake from to make it 4-3.

The last five minutes were fraught but the Lads held firm and proceeded to the next round.