Sidmouth Town Reserves booked a semi-final berth in this season’s Grandisson Cup, but only just, as they edged out Otterton in a penalty shoot-out after the sides had finished all square at 2-2.

Town were below-par for much of the contest, but it was they who settled quickest into the evening contest at Otterton.

The opening goal came in the 15th minute when, following good work from Tom Matthew, Ferenc Bodor scored to put Town ahead.

The Town back line – with an average age of just 17 – found it tough going against the wiser, and much more experienced home front line - and parity was restored with a close range effort following a goalmouth scramble.

Other than the two goals the first 45 minute was pretty drab affair and half-time came as a welcome break for a decent turnout of supporters.

The interval was at least brightened up by the fly-past of a Royal Marines helicopter which gave folk present something to debate!

Anyone hoping that the second 45 minutes would improve would have been left disappointed for the quality of football on offer rarely rose above the mediocre.

Town regained the lead when Will Jenkins curled a sweetly-struck 25-yard free-kick into the back of the net.

However, the inexperience in the Town defensive ranks came to the fore as two defenders both left a clearable ball to the other to deal with and goalkeeper Adam Bartlett was beaten by a quick-thinking home striker who applied a neat finish.

Late on a post denied Bodor a second, and a goal that would have ended the contest without the shoot-out.

With insufficient light for extra-time, the contest was decided by spot-kicks and Pitter, Cross, Bodor and Skiltn all netted to send Town into the last four.