A first half goal from Dion Tansey-Potter was met by an early second half strike from Aidan Neal, with the hosts then winning the penalty shootout 3-0.

It was a slow opening 30 minutes, with a speculative effort from Josh Parker the best effort for Sleaford early on, with Birstall creating a great chance after 10 minutes, with Marley Spencer beating a Sleaford offside trap and trying to take it round Ryan Kamm, only for the goalkeeper to make a great save to stop any danger.

After the half hour mark, the Greens created a series of serious opportunities. Sam Edgington had a shot just outside the box, which rocketed over, followed by an attempt by Lewis Smith which took the same trajectory as the first effort. The third was good skill by Tansey-Potter, who beat his man and hit an effort towards the near post, only to hit the side netting.

Finally, the deadlock broke through Sleaford’s winger. A series of good play through Sleafords midfield left Smith through on the left wing, he cut back and played it into the box, only for Tansey-Potter to take a touch and slide it past Ben Cluley and give Sleaford a deserved lead.

The second half started with Birstall piling on the pressure, creating chance after chance, only to equalise in the 50th minute. Neal collected the ball and beat Jonathan Timmins before taking his time and calmly slotting it past Kamm, giving the hosts real hope of building on an early goal in the second half.

As the second half progressed, it seemed United were destined to find an equaliser, with Kamm called into making one big stop, whilst another was dragged wide of the target. The Greens put bodies on the line, too, with Timmins and Ben Robson making heroic blocks to keep the score level.

As full time blew, penalties were to come. Birstall took first, only to miss the target. Josh Parker followed it up with a miss of his own, before Birstall took the lead with their second penalty. Kyle Onyon also missed his, with Tansey-Potter’s shot being saved. Birstall netted the two following the Greens misses, with the referee blowing to indicate progression in the FA Vase for Birstall, whilst Sleaford can only think about missed opportunities.

They’ll be looking to amend the weekends defeat with league action next Saturday, hosting Gedling Miners Welfare in UCL Division One action.

(Photo - Thomas Gibbons Media)