FTFC 0-0 Sheff Utd (4-1 on pens)
Chris Maxwell was the hero for Fleetwood Town as he saved two penalties to help the Cod Army beat Sheffield United in the quarter-final of the JPT Trophy at Highbury.The game had gone to a shoot out after a stalemate after 90 minutes, and Nick Haughton scored the winning penalty as Town progressed.
Four changes were made by manager Steven Pressley from the side that was beaten in the first round of the FA Cup to Walsall on Saturday afternoon.
Dionatan Teixeria, Jamille Matt, Declan McManus and Haughton were all named in the team for the clash against the Blades.
Town had the first chance of the game when Joe Davis crossed for Eggert Jonsson at the back post, but the Icelandic headed over.
The visitors responded however and Maxwell was called into action as he denied Martyn Woolford superbly with a close range save.
Maxwell then kept out another effort soon after from Conor Sammon, as he palmed away the striker’s shot from the edge of the box.
In an action packed opening quarter of an hour, McManus very nearly gave the Cod Army the lead from a tight angle but Long saved well.
Woolford was a bright spark for the visitors, and his strike on the half volley from the edge of the area just past the post after taking a wicked deflection.
He was later involved in the action once more when the ball dropped to him in a good position, but fired horribly over the bar.
The final action of the first period saw James Wallace fire an effort on the volley from distance which went wide of Maxwell’s near post.
Town started the second half brightly and went close through Matt who skimmed Davis’ cross just wide after some neat play on the right.
The Blades missed a golden opportunity to take the lead on 55 minutes when Kennedy volleyed off target inside the box from a dangerous corner.
Amari’i Bell was causing Nigel Adkins’ side problems down the left hand flank, and made a bursting run forward before being denied on the edge of the box.
At the other end, Stefan Scougall received the ball from the left and shot at Maxwell who made an expert finger tip save to deny the midfielder.
Haughton tried his luck from long range midway through the half, as he skipped past a challenge but sent a shot over.
Substitute Ashley Hunter made an immediate impact off the bench on 70 minutes and forced Long to tip wide with a curling strike.
And with only moments remaining Hunter very nearly won the game for Town with a chip which cannoned back off the crossbar.
However with neither side able to break each other down after 90 minutes, the contest went straight to a penalty shoot out.
Maxwell was the hero though as he saved penalties from both Billy Sharp and Jay McEveley as Steven Pressley’s side secured their passage to the semi-final.