HESWALL were left to rue the dismissal of Steve Thompson for their Cheshire FA Amateur Cup semi-final loss against Barnton.
The Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division One side gave an excellent account of themselves but the harsh sendin-off, for two bookable offences, proved to be too much of burden as the Mid-Cheshire League oufit ran out 3-1 winners in extra time.
In an excellent game which could have gone either way, Kevin Ryan put Heswall in front on 11 minutes only for Chris Gahan to equalise on 48 minutes.
Following Thompson's exit, Darren Kinsey made it 2-1 on 106 minutes before a last-minute strike from Neil Critchley put the game beyond Heswall's reach.
The other semi-final takes place this evening at Cammell Laird, with Ashville against Poulton Vics, kick-off 7pm.
MANWEB Res remained on course for a Division Three title and West Cheshire Shield double after beating West Kirby Res 2-1 in Wednesday's semi-final with goals from Dave Wilson and the winner from substitute, Tommy Swan.
Saturday's Division One action saw leaders Cammell Laird main-tain their single point advantage, after Ronnie Morgan (3) and Ian Cooke (2) obliged in the 5-2 win at Christleton, while nearest rivals Newton, who have not finished the season above Lairds for the past 30 years, stayed in contention after beating Aintree Villa 2-1 with goals from Brendan Helm and Tony Gray.
Mallaby's 2-0 eclipse of Elles-mere Port featured a goal either side of the half from Robbie Stew-art and Ben England. A fine double from Chris Dunne proved the difference as West Kirby over-came Ashville 3-2. Robbie Tynan and Craig Cartwright struck for Poulton Vics in their 2-1 eclipse of Heswall and Gen Chems' 3-0 win at MANWEB was achieved with goals from from Gary Tyrell, Gary Lunt and Tony Ericsson.
Aaron Doyle and Darren Gill hit the target for FC Pensby in their 2-1 verdict over Capenhurst Villa and Manor Ath were grateful for maximum spoils after Simon Forshaw and Jamie Gillespie netted to edge fellow strugglers Willaston 2-1.
New Brighton's fine run was curtailed following a 1-1 draw with Heswall Res.
West Kirby Res reduced MANWEB Res' lead at the top of Division Three to five points, after efforts from Owen Davies, Ged McWhia, Peter McNay and an own goal secured a valuable 4-2 win over MBNA.
Paul Adams scored twice as Shaftesbury beat Grange Ath 3-2.
RESULTS Tuesday March 2 Pyke Challenge Cup Semi Final: Ashville 2 (Standish, Lamb) Poulton Victoria (Davies 3, Stanhope). Wednesday March 3 Cheshire Amateur Cup Semi Final: Barnton 3 (Gahgan, Kinsey, Critchley) Heswall 1 (Ryan) (aet) Thursday March 4 West Cheshire Shield Semi Final: Manweb Res 2 (Wilson, Swan) West Kirby Res 1 (aet).
Saturday March 6 Division One: Ashville 2 (Robets, Donaghue) West Kirby 3 (Dunn 2, Barrow); Castrl Social 0 Maghull 0; Christleton 2 (Rogers, Herbert) Cammell Laird 5 (Morgan 3, Cooke 2); Mallaby 2 (Stewart, England) Ellesmere Port 0; Manweb 0 General Chemicals 3 (Tyrrell, Lunt, Erickson); Newton 2 (Helm, Gray) Aintree Villa 1 (Woodward); Poulton Victoria 2 (Tynan, Cartwright pen) Heswall 1 (Riley).
Division Two: Cammell Laird Res 0 Blacon Youth Club 2 (McQuillan 2); FC Pensby 2 (Doyle, Gill) Capenhurst Villa 1 (Robinson); Maghull Res 0 Poulton Victoria Res 0; Manor Athletic 2 (Forshaw, Gillespie) Willaston 1 (Marr); Mond Rangers 3 (Droughton 2, Thompson) Ashville Res (Brabander, Hazelhurst); Upton AA 3 (Thompson, Lloyd, Denham) Merseyside Police 2 (Bratt, Welsh).
Division Three: Capenhurst Villa Res 0 Chester Nomads 5 (Cutler, Powell, Kerr, Riley); Ellesmere Port Res 2 (Hickson, Davies) Mond Rangers Res 0; Mersey Royal 1 (Peter Courtney) Bronze Social 3 (Thomas 2, Shaun Cassidy); Shaftesbury 3 (Adams 2, Houghton) Grange Athletic 2 (Boden, Selby); St Werburghs 2 (Radford, Dodd pen) Upton AA Res 0; West Kirby Res 4 (Davies, McWhia, McNay (og) MBNA 2 (Hallows 2).
