DRIGHLINGTON made progress in the Under 14 Cup with a 6-4 win at Rastrick to ensure a place in the competition’s third round.

The contest had all the hallmarks of a goalless draw after 20 minutes and, even after Rastrick had set up a two goal half time lead, there was little indication of what was to follow.

Sitting fifth in Division II, Drighlington faced a potential banana skin in the form of third division Rastrick, who are mounting a strong case for promotion.

Drighlington were fastest out of the blocks and Mason Hodgson almost gave Drighlington the lead in the fifth minute, but his shot flashed wide of the far post.

But both keepers were unemployed until the 20th minute when, against the run of play, Oliver Greenwood converted a corner to give Rastrick the lead.

They made that two when Jordan Boam found himself with time to turn and fire a shot into the net to double the home side’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

Within a minute of the restart Drighlington were back in the hunt when Lewis Oddy’s persistence produced a deserved goal for the visitors.

After running half the length of the field and losing possession twice, the Drighlington forward stretched out a toe to poke the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The goal proved to be the spark that ignited a second half and extra time that bristled with action and goals to keep the spectators warm on a chilly day.

Drighlington were back on level terms five minutes later when Harry Oakland’s pass across a crowded penalty area found Lewis Oddy at the far post and this time his touch was perfect as he fired home the equaliser from six yards.

While Rastrick were still recovering from losing their two goal cushion, Drighlington were inspired into a period of total dominance and Oddy was unlucky not to complete his hat trick, but his goalbound shot produced a superb save from keeper Danny Mashinter, who stretched to fingertip the ball onto the crossbar and safety.

At the other end, Josh Foster was forced into a goal-line clearance to deny Lewis Binns as Rastrick tried hard to get back into the game, but it was Drighlington who were celebrating again when Adam Townend’s corner was cleared but the ball hit the back of Joe Crabtree to rebound into the net.

With 15 minutes of the game remaining Drighlington were back on the attack and when Crabtree fired a right wing cross into the path of Owen Mullen, the forward turned the game on its head with a fine volley into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

But the home side were not about to give up the cause so easily and were given a lifeline when Oliver Greenwood grabbed his second goal to reduce the deficit to one.

Rastrick had the ball in the back of the net again moments later but the referee ruled off-side and, with just a few minutes to the end of normal time Drighlington looked to have secured the victory.

However, one last effort from Rastrick was enough to force the scores level as Lewis Binns’ corner found Oliver Greenwood who fired home the equaliser from 12 yards to force extra time.

Rastrick’s Bradley Mason, Jack Sutcliffe and George Atherton worked hard throughout the game and their efforts deserved some reward, but it was Drighlington who finished the stronger.

The visitors restored their lead 8 minutes into extra time when Harrison Naylor’s right wing cross was turned home by Adam Townend.

And the result was finally settled when, with Rastrick fully committed to attack, Owen Mullen found time and space to place a perfect chip over onrushing keeper Mashinter to seal a 6-4 victory for Drighlington, who now go into the hat for the third round.

Rastrick, meanwhile, can be pleased that they played a massive part in a highly entertaining game.