December 2010

Krysiak went full stretch to his right to palm away Byron Anthony's spot-kick with the shootout score level at 3-3.

Exeter went on to net all five of their penalties, with Richard Duffy holding his nerve to score the last, and are now just one tie away from Wembley.

Manager Paul Tisdale was suffering from flu and missed his post-match press conference but Edwards said: “It was a fantastic save by Artur.

“Both sides took some great penalties and the difference was just one outstanding piece of goalkeeping. Hopefully we can now go all the way to Wembley.”

Rovers boss Paul Trollope, parted company with the club after the game, leapt to the defence of Anthony, who also scored an own goal in the game on a night to forget.

“Byron showed great character to take the kick and it was a really good penalty,” he said. “The goalkeeper just read it and came up with a brilliant save.”

Another goalkeeper, Richard Lee, was the hero for Brentford as he saved three spot-kicks in succession to ensure his side progressed to the Area final with a shootout victory over Charlton.

Lee said: “I'd practised a penalty shootout situation earlier in the day with our coach.

“He told me to stay big and get something on it. When I'm in that position I just get the feeling that I know what is going to happen and that gives me the edge I need.”

Charlton manager Phil Parkinson was quick to praise Lee, saying: “You can't legislate for three fantastic saves like that, they were brilliant stops.”

In the Northern Section, Huddersfield manager Lee Clark praised the quality of his side`s performance in their 2-0 semi-final win at Tranmere.

Striker Jordan Rhodes scored twice, while Alex Smithies saved a penalty from Lateef Elford-Alliyu with the score at 1-0.

Clark said: “We knew what we had to do and we competed well throughout. I thought the back four were absolutely terrific as was our keeper who did well to save the penalty.

“When we did show our quality we scored two terrific goals and we could easily have had several more.

“Now we have a Wembley chance. I am happy to be where we are in the competition but I am not even thinking about the northern final against Carlisle.”

Carlisle made it through by beating Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 at Brunton Park.

Goals from Francois Zoko, Lubo Michalik and Ben Marshall put the Cumbrians, beaten by Southampton in last season`s final, 3-0 ahead before Darren Purse notched a consolation for the Owls.

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott said: “We were close to our best, we won all our battles and produced some excellent football. The midfield won everything and we were electric up front. I want to go back to Wembley.”