A LATE onslaught kept Nantwich Town's dream of an FA Cup run alive on Saturday.
The Dabbers were heading for a dismal defeat in the preliminary round clash at Colne with eight minutes left.
But efforts from Ashley Carter (82), Andy Kinsey (88) and Andy Bott (90) in the frenetic closing stages sent them through to a home tie with Ashton United in the next round.
Relieved boss Steve David admitted: 'I have to be honest and say that I thought we were on our way out in this one.
'But it proves you should never give up, even when all seems lost.
'I said before the game that Colne would make it difficult for us - and they did. But we made it difficult for ourselves at times.'
Colne, who play in the North West Counties League that Nantwich were promoted from last season, certainly provided a stern test on their sloping Holt House Stadium pitch.
Nantwich were boosted by the return from injury of Adam Beasley and Bott. They opened brightly with Pavol Suhaj, Carter and Paul Donnelly involved in early threats.
But they went one down in the 25th minute when Kevin Urwins brushed off challenges from Ryan Dicker and Paul Taylor and drove his shot past keep Dave Kocjak.
Glyn Blackhurst was unlucky to see a close range header from a corner fall narrowly wide, while Donnelly tested keeper Mark Crossley with a superb angled strike just before the break.
On 56 minutes Davis introduced Kinsey at the expense of Pavol Suhaj in a bid to liven things up, but Nantwich began to get frustrated at their lack of success in attacking areas.
Donnelly had to head an Urwins header off the line to keep his team in it, before Dicker then headed wide from a corner at the other end.
Bott came on for Nick Linford with 20 minutes left, but time looked to be running out when Carter struck, bundling in after Kinsey's strike had hit the underside of the bar.
Colne were dealt another hammer blow when an 88th minute Danny Griggs free kick was nodded home by Kinsey. And Bott's close range strike killed the game.
Nantwich entertained Radcliffe Borough in the UniBond League Challenge Cup first round as the Chronicle went to press last night. They visit Grantham Town on Saturday, and host Warrington Town next Tuesday (7.45pm).
