LAST ditch saves from goalkeeper Aaron Atherton and four goals apiece from Jonathon Stafford and Addison Brown helped Tyldesley scrape a 10-9 cup victory over Radcliffe at the Pelican Centre.
A large number of spectators turned out to watch the knockout and they were not disappointed in an end-to-end encounter that remained in the balance until the final whistle.
Three former Tyldesley players – Steve Davidson, Paul Cowburn and Phil Stout – returned to the Pelican in Radcliffe colours to add to the intensity.
But the visitors endured a difficult start as they finished the opening quarter 4-0 down following a hat-trick from Stafford and one from Brown.
Brown added another for the hosts in the second quarter but Tyldesley's advantage was cut to just one goal (5-4) by half time following a two-goal burst from Cowburn.
Tyldesley battened down the hatches to open up their lead to 9-7 midway through the final quarter before Radcliffe came back again to level the scores with three minutes to play.
Rob Bond, however, popped up in space to convert a match-winning chance for the hosts before the crossbar and some fine late interventions from Atherton secured the victory.
Goal scorers: Jonathon Stafford 4, Addison Brown 4, Rob Bond 2.
Team: Aaron Atherton, Lucas McNulty, Lee Toone, John Fletcher, Tyler Turner, Dennis Price, Chris Hughes, Rob Leyland, Jonathan Stafford, Adam Toone, Austin Lawley, Rob Bond, Addison Brown.
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