MIDDLEWICH Town will not repeat last season’s run to the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup quarter finals after bowing out at the second-round stage on Saturday.

The Witches, who had led 3-1, have reason to feel rueful after higher-ranked Poynton forced extra time with the last touch of the contest.

The hosts were upset though that referee James Naisbett added six minutes after the 90.

“Where he found them from is beyond me,” said co-manager Ross Speight.

“We feel hard done by, and the result does not reflect what was an end-to-end cup tie.”

The visitors to Seddon Street took the lead midway through the first half, only for two goals in four minutes to establish an interval lead for Middlewich.

Chris Lunn teed up Jordan Bennion to first in an equaliser at the end of a counter attack, then Lunn himself smashed in a loose ball after Bennion’s attempt was parried into his path.

The Witches added a third goal shortly half time when Sam Wakefield’s shot crept in.

Poynton reduced their arrears quickly, but did not score again until those closing seconds of injury time.

They netted three more in the extra half an hour to reach the last 16.

Speight added: “Poynton deserve credit for putting us under huge pressure to get that equaliser.

“After that, they picked us off in extra time.

“We’re gutted to go out off the back of such a fantastic effort and performance.”

Matthew Cann scored Middlewich reserves’ consolation in a 3-1 defeat at their Golborne counterparts on Saturday.

They visit Mersey Valley this weekend, kick off 3pm.