THE mouth-watering Bolton at Home Sunday League Open Cup Preliminary Round cup tie between Astley Bridge Elite and Deane FC was billed as the top of Division One versus top of the Division Two and in terms of drama and entertainment it did not disappoint.

With only 10 minutes gone Astley Bridge’s goalkeeper James Mann was sent off for handling outside the box but despite being down to 10 men Astley Bridge raced into a 2-0 first-half lead.

Deane stormed back with three goals to go in 3-2 ahead at half time.

Early in the second half Deane were also down to 10 men having Gaz Holt sent off and Astley Bridge capitalised by drawing level at 3-3 to take the tie to extra time.

Deane went 4-3 ahead in the first period of extra time before Astley Bridge grabbed a dramatic equaliser to take the tie to penalties.

Keeper Craig Holt was the hero for Deane FC as he majestically tipped a penalty over the bar and Carl Dumbarton then made sure from the spot to ensure a cup upset and the Division Two side a place in the next round.

Chris Donahue had registered a hat-trick for Astley Bridge Elite along with Darren Smethurst and Deane’s scorers were Dumbarton (two), Dave Stewart and Kenny Bateson.

All Sunday’s Open Cup ties saw Division One sides up against Division Two opposition.

Farnworth United easily brushed aside second-tier Church Reds away from home 5-0, Gaz Bentley striking a hat-trick with Chris Merritt and Martin Brown also on the scoresheet.

Division Two outfit Atherton Villa were humbled by Bradford Arms A from the top flight 8-1 – Jack Stevenson (three), Ryan Fielding (two), Dominic Sharples, Jack Littlewood and Liam Ashworth all scoring for Bradford Arms.

Division One side D Havilland put Railway FC of Division Two to the sword, winning 11-1 helped by three own goals. Kieron Marsh grabbed his first hat-trick of the season while Dean Usher, Leroy West, Liam Pearcey and Jay Mannion joined in the goal rout. Chris Wareing replied for Railway with a consolation effort.

In the Division One league encounter between Top Club and high-flying Queen Anne it ended 3-3, a Mark Truffers brace and Tom Halligan goal helping ensure Queen Anne maintain a title challenge.

Lewis Porter (two) and Travis Vaughn got on the scoresheet for Top Club which keeps them in the top three, just three points behind Queen Anne.

In Division Two, Bradford Arms B were outclassed by much-improved New Bury who recorded a 7-0 away win.

Brent Halliwell (four), Jay Smith (two) and Sam Bradley notched the goals for New Bury and there was an upset when second-placed Westhoughton FC went down 3-0 at home to Deane Wanderers, a result which saw Deane move up into fourth.