A CONTROVERSIAL last minute penalty gave Merlin the spoils after a spirited Town fight back from 3-0 down in the last 20 minutes.
Town edged the first half on possession, but gave away a goal right on the half time whistle and this spurred the home side on for the opening exchanges of the second half when Town were under the cosh, and conceded two more goals.
Town reorganised at this point with nothing to lose and quickly reaped the reward. Carl Gray sprung the offside trap and placed a quality finish to the 'keeper's left. Minutes later MoM Stuart Eades crashed a 25-yarder home.
Town kept the momentum up and Stephen Hinton bundled the ball home to set up an exciting finish. Merlin were still dangerous on the break with Darren Hateley and Paul Harper looking sharp.
When extra time beckoned a somewhat fortuitous penalty put Merlin through to the semi-finals. Merlin's goal heroes were Hateley, Lee Jones (two) and Alan Holden.
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