A STRIKE eight minutes from time from Chris Margis settled a tight Challenge Cup quarter-final clash in Storthes Hall favour as they edged out Britannia Sports 2-1.

Home side Storthes made a strong start and Alex Slack almost put them in front when he met Matt Mulvihill’s cross, but Sports keeper Richard Wilkins saved well.

Mulvihill again played a part as Hall took the lead on 18 minutes, his pass freed Rob Morris and his cross saw Dion Smith tee-up Michael Tunnacliffe to fire home.

Hall could have stretched their lead six minutes later but Slack fired over from close range after Lee Mozley had flicked on a Tunnacliffe corner, and Margis was unlucky just before half-time when his acrobatic overhead kick beat Wilkins, but came back off the bar.

Hall hit the woodwork again on 62 minutes when Tunnacliffe unleashed a shot from 25 yards, but Sports pulled level on 68 minutes when Jonny Bottomley turned the ball in from close range.

The contest became cagey but Hall recovered to deal the winning blow with Margis heading home Mulvihill’s corner on 82 minutes.