Clayton holds his nerve to send Crawley Green through

Crawley Green needed penalties to defeat Harpenden Town in the Division One Cup on Wednesday night.

With the scores 1-1 after full time, Green held their nerve from the spot to triumph 5-4 and reach the semi-final.

The visitors were fired up and Charlie Gould was booked for a poor challenge on Crawley’s Mark Smith after only two minutes.

However, Green went ahead on nine minutes as Harpenden’s Matt Sutton headed a Tom Barnett free kick back across his own goal straight to Craig Savage who scored from close range.

Liam McGovern and Sam Peverall then both had efforts saved by Jake McClean, while Town’s Mark Hitchcock saw his fine effort cannon off the bar.

Just before the break Crawley’s Sam Peverall hit the post from a corner, with Liam Toomey firing the rebound over.

In the second period, the visitors started brightly and dominated proceedings as Charlie Gould had an early shot blocked.

On the hour Town were reduced to 10 men when Hitchcock was sent off for a second yellow card.

However they continued to pour forward and Ben Warren headed over from a Dan Stewart cross, but they deservedly equalised after 75 minutes when Stewart fired home from close range.

Scott Timmins had a shot pushed away by Dean Bull, while Charlie Clayton was off target for Green as the game finished 1-1.

In the shoot-out Strange, Peverall, Henry Mungwira and Aaron Browne put the hosts 4-3 up after Bull saved from Warren, leaving Clayton to net the winning kick as Green will travel to the winners of Hillingdon Borough or Broadfields United.

Crawley’ game against Ampthill on Saturday was called off due to a waterlogged pitch and will now be played next Wednesday.

Green host Hatfield Town on Wednesday evening.