December 2010

Fifteen days after the fixtures were meant to be played, Griffin Park, the Memorial Ground and Prenton Park finally thawed to pave the way for a night of huge drama.

For Bristol Rovers, Charlton Athletic and Tranmere Rovers, it was another bitter evening for all the wrong reasons, as their journeys with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy came to an end.

Both southern semi finals went to nailbiting penalty shoot-outs with Brentford and Exeter City refusing to melt under pressure.

In the northern section, Huddersfield Town cut a cool, calm demeanour in beating Tranmere Rovers 2-0.

Brentford goalkeeper Richard Lee again emerged the hero for the Bees, saving three penalties to help his side progress.

His side become the first club to have made it through three stages of the trophy through penalties, after dumping out Leyton Orient and Swindon Town in the same nailbiting fashion earlier in the season.

If there was a Johnstone's Paint Trophy nerves of steel award, then Andy Scott's men would have picked it up a long time ago.

He said: "We have been in this position a lot this season. It's our fifth shoot-out of the season and we know the drill.

"We are very confident with Richard in goal and we are confident taking them. It was a tough game and they changed their system which is a credit to us. We deserved to go through in the end."

Over at the Memorial Ground, Exeter City were somehow snatching victory away from the jaws of defeat, after looking down and out against Bristol Rovers.

With 89 minutes on the clock, the Pirates looked destined for another bow in the area finals, leading their south coast rivals 2-1.

But not for the first time this season, the Grecians responded in style through 'that man' Ryan Harley to take the game to penalties.

The skilful midfielder has already scored two stunning goals in two of the last three rounds and he wasn't to be denied, coolly slotting home to take his side to a penalty shoot-out.

Five perfect spot kicks from Harley, Billy Jones, Daniel Nardiello, David Noble and Richard Duffy were then enough for Exeter to move a step closer to a date at the Home of Football.

Artur Krysiak's stunning save during the shoot-out was also crucial after the sides had both netted their first four kicks.

Rovers manager Paul Trollope - like most other fans inside the ground - thought the game was as good as over in normal time.

"It looked for all the world as though we were going to go through. We thought we had the game wrapped up at 2-1 and had a couple of half-chances to make it three," said Trollope.

If there was a team of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, then Huddersfield Town's Jordan Rhodes would almost certainly be in it.

Following up his brace at Rotherham in the area quarter finals, Rhodes was at it again at, netting twice at Tranmere Rovers to ease the Terriers through to the northern area finals.

Rhodes latched on to Alan Lee's flick-on to send a fine lob over home keeper Gunnar Nielsen.

Rovers spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to level from the spot after Gary Roberts felled Ash Taylor, but Lateef Elford-Alliyu saw his effort saved.

Rhodes then sealed it by sweeping home Lee's cross after a swift counter.

Manager Lee Clark said: "We knew we would have to compete tonight. They are good in the air and strong at set pieces so we came prepared.

"The back four played exceptionally well along with Alex Smithies who once again made a penalty save.

"When we did show our quality with the ball we scored two terrific goals and deserved to win. We have taken this competition very seriously so far and at the moment it is paying off," said Clark.

While all this was happening, Carlisle United and their manager Greg Abbot was tucked up warm at home, watching the action unfold with interest.

The Cumbrians, already safely through to the area finals, will now play the Terriers over two legs, while Brentford will prepare for Exeter City in the southern section.

Johnstone's. Bringing colour to the beautiful game.