Atherton LR progressed to the semi-finals of the Bolton Hospital Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory at Hindsford on Thursday night.

Dave Jones’ side got their foot in early in the game as 15 minutes in, a picture-perfect through ball by Brandon Dawson found Dan Lenehan who rounded the keeper and placed LR into an early lead.

The hosts were quick to get back on track when a counter-attack saw a ball well flicked into the box, leaving space for Tommy Dey to place the ball into the back of the net to level the game with a great finish.

It was a tight affair leading up to the break with LR edging the majority of chances.

And a fantastic run by Luke Nicholls gave him space to open his body and curl the ball past the home keeper from close range to retake LR’s lead late in the half.

The second half began with Hindsford having an immediate change in tempo as they seemed on top for everything. This allowed them to apply high pressure on Flynn Proctor, whose attempted clearance was deflected and gave Hindsford space to equalise for the second time.

LR had the majority of chances going into the final 15 minutes but were unable to convert in the final third.

The final whistle blew at 2-2, and the game was to be decided by penalties.

Two fantastic saves from Joe Bickerstaffe and a missed penalty gave Abiola Abasoto the chance to win the tie for LR and he slotted it away calmly to send Jones’men into the last four.

Hindsford’s Jack Nicholls had a notable performance, making some fantastic saves in the game and in the penalty shootout but was on the losing side on the night

LR’s Owen Green and Lance Houghton also impressed and manager Jones praised them post-match.

He said: “I thought Greeny (Owen Green) had a solid game filling in for George (Chadwick), he took a little knock but carried on playing through it.

“I also thought Lance was fantastic, playing some really good forward balls in the first half and defending the box really well in the second half.”

LR assistant boss, Gareth Flitcroft, says he was aware of the challenge Hindsford would pose beforehandand added: “We knew tonight was going to be really tough, because of the conditions we knew there would be a physical side.

“I think all the lads were brilliant, coming here on a Thursday night, it’s asking a lot from them.

“I felt they were brilliant in terms of sticking together and getting through the game and then finding a way to win.

“We haven’t trained since the Stoneclough game but the application, professionalism and how they approached the game, I felt they were brilliant.”

Atherton LR can now face either, Eagley or CMB in the last four in a tie likely to be held at Daisy Hill’s ground.