IN an occasion which was almost a carbon copy of the opening day league fixture, Premier Cup holders The Wanderers edged past South Newton & Wishford 2-4 in the first stage of the competition.

With some regular faces absent, including custodian Graham Kitley, Liam McConnell's visiting team found the task of getting a result even more difficult, when after a very balanced first half, a Rich Tutton strike on the stroke of half time gave the hosts the lead at the interval.

Coming out in the second half, the visitors looked much more like their attacking selves and the equaliser came through from the in-form Chris Guthrie, who finished off a sweeping move.

Moments later, they had their noses in front, after a foul in the box led to the award of a penalty, skipper Steve Tinkler making no mistake from 12 yards.

However, the frantic five minutes lengthened when straight away Adam Payne ran through and slotted home the equaliser.

Both sides had chances to take the initiative, with McConnell being handed the gloves, who was called into action to push away a 30-yard free kick. Meanwhile, Nick Newman and Adam Jones went close at the other end.

However, it was Tim Fewins, who emerged from the bench, to immediately restore the Wanderers’ lead and with seconds to spare, Guthrie found space to tuck home his second for a quarter final spot.

Boss and goalkeeper McConnell said: “The first half was a bit of a non starter for us, we didn't seem to get out of second gear, we used that goal on the stroke of half time as a spring board.

“We said at half time to be more threatening and be aggressive and that's what won us the game.

“It was nice to be playing in goal again - it's been a while.”