Shaws of Darwen 2 Blackburn Fire Brigade 'A' 1 (aet)

STEVE Eggleston held his nerve to fire Shaws of Darwen into the quarter finals of the Orphanage Cup with an extra time penalty winner.

It was fitting that 'Eggy' grabbed the decisive goal as he was the driving force behind a Shaws team who were made to work hard for their victory.

The battling midfielder, who plays with a scowl on his face and a crunch in his tackle, was every where as Shaws took a firm grip on the game.

A depleted Fire Brigade side employed Nigel Yates as the lone striker and opted for a sweeper system to snuff out the attacking threat of the dangerous Paddy Lauber and attacking midfielder Dave Berry.

But it was the Firemen who took the lead, somewhat against the run of play, when Nick Lee's firmly struck low corner crept in at the near post.

Shaws nearly grabbed a quick fire reply when, after some concerted pressure, Lauber launched a peach of a cross but Baz Leatherd smacked his header against the up right.

However, Lauber was instrumental in the equaliser just after the restart when another great cross was nodded home by the giant Darren Knowles.

After that it was one-way traffic as Shaws peppered the Brigade's back four but they were equal to the task. Eggleston had a well struck free kick brilliantly turned onto the cross bar by Fletcher.

Liam Taylor then had the great chance to put Shaws ahead when Berry and Lauber set him free but he hit his shot too early and his weak effort was snatched up the keeper.

But the Firemen could have grabbed a dramatic late winner when Yates found himself clear on goal -- but his first touch was too heavy and John Wilson was off his line well to clear the danger.

In the first period of extra time, Fletcher had to get down smartly at his near post to keep out a low corner from Lauber then Neil Cameron produced another well-timed tackle to prevent Taylor a clear run in on goal.

Just before the break, Berry and Neil Fuller were booked for getting a bit too familiar!

Shaws finally made the breakthrough at the beginning of the second period when Lee up-ended Leatherd in the box and Eggleston cooly converted from the spot.

It triggered a spirited Firemen's fightback and Yates had a close range shot brilliantly kept out by Wilson.

From the resulting corner, Yates' clever dummy caused confusion in the box and the ball was hacked clear off the line.

Jim Briggs then burst through on the left hand side but his low drive was well saved by Wilson. It was the Fire Brigade's last chance but Shaws live to fight on -- and no doubt 'Eggy' will be in the middle of the battle.

Ratings

Shaws of Darwen

John Wilson (keeper) Very little to do but made two important saves at the end of extra time...7

Phil Hargreaves (right back) Got pushed about it but did well and got forward...6

Mick McDonald (left back) Did the simple things well...6

Michael Leaf (centre back) Added experience to the back line...7

Mark Armstrong (centre back) Looked solid enough...6

Liam Taylor (right midfield) Had some very good runs, especially in the first half...7

Baz Leatherd (left midfield) Man in the wars but showed great determination down flank. Hit post with header...7

Dave Berry (centre midfield) In the thick of the action in the middle of the park. Worked hard...7

HSteve Eggleston (centre midfield) Shaws' driving force. Buzzed about the pitch and scored match winner...9

Darren Knowles (striker) Big man proved to be a good target. Great header to level the tie...7

Paddy Lauber (striker) The danger man with the wicked left foot. A real handful...8

Subs

Craig Taylor (midfield) Little chance to show what he could do...6

Blackburn Fire Brigade

Alex Fletcher (keeper) Dodgy start for towering keeper but got better as game went on...8

Mark Southworth (sweeper) Played behind back four and look assured on the ball...7

Neil Cameron (right back) Out of position a few times but made some great last-ditch tackles...6

Jim Briggs (left back) Big man was hard to get around. Not as confident going forward...6

Ian Fox (centre back) Under pressure but stuck to task well...6

Dave Williams (centre back) Like Fox was stretched but had a great throw on him...7

Mick Lee (right midfield) Mixed game. Scored straight from corner but gave away penalty...6

Neil Fuller (left midfield) Improved as the game went on. Had an interesting tangle with Berry!...7

HHoward Yates (centre midfield) Drafted in and did a great job. Hard in the tackle...8

Alec Williams (centre midfield) Stuck to his task well...6

Nigel Yates (striker) Lone striker but big and strong and put himself about...8