GOALKEEPER Hadyn Whitcombe was the hero of the hour as his penalty save took Worcester City into the first round of the FA Vase after a nailbiting shoot out.

City fans had only just recovered from a heart stopping finish to the match against Rugby Borough as Elliot Hartley headed home in the fifth minute of injury time to level the match at 2-2.

But City kept their cool and Haydn's heroics, saving two from the spot, ensured they won the penalty shoot-out 5-4.

Manager Chris Cornes said after the game his team "had got out of jail at times" in the topsy turvy encounter.

He said: "I thought we played some good football and had some brilliant chances.

"And then at the death we had that penalty and Elliot Hartley has scored to make it 2-2.

"I thought we had the chances to go on and win it but it was a below par performance from a few and we gifted them the second goal and that is not just good enough.

"But we're through to the next round and that's what these cups are all about."

City, who played in their traditional blue and white stripes, got off to a flying start as Adam Mace hit the back of the net within two minutes only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

They had the better of the first half with Calvin Dinsley going close with a header but the match was goalless at half-time.

However, it was Borough who took the lead on 54 minutes when Sam Lockley coolly slotted home a penalty.

10 minutes later City equalised after Dylan Hart's pinpoint cross was stroked into the net by Kyle Belmonte.

However, within three minutes Borough regained the lead as captain Gez McGahey tapped in a through ball which bypassed city keeper Whitcombe as he came out to block.

It was high drama as the match neared its finish as City were awarded a penalty.

Hart was brought down in the box on 88 minutes but put the ensuing penalty wide. It looked like game over but City showed true fortitude and kept battling and it was just reward when Hartley's precise header from a corner sent the fans into ecstasy.

Cornes said: "It's testament to the lads, having that never say die attitude but we weren't clinical at times and I thought we had some good chances.

"A draw was a fair result and the penalties are a lottery."

Cornes said he was delighted for man of the match Whitcombe who ensured City triumphed to send the majority of the 388 crowd wild.

Elliot Keightley was shown a red card between full time and penalties.

City host Hereford Pegasus at Claines Lane on Tuesday - kick off 7.45pm.