HOWE Bridge Mills were knocked out of the Lancashire FA Cup on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw at Bedians AFC.

And manager Paul White said the disappointment was doubled due to his side contributing to the quarter-final defeat by gifting the home side their goals.

In one of only two games played by local Lancashire Amateur League Premier League sides on a weather-hit weekend, Alex Luby and Scott Fletcher from the penalty spot put Howe Bridge 2-0 ahead, but a goal just before half time and two just after put the home side in front.

Fletcher equalised on 75 minutes and after Bedians went ahead again on 90 minutes Howe Bridge went straight back up the other end to level again through Chris Anderton.

Elliott Beaver was the only one of three Mills men to convert as they lost the penalty shootout 4-1.

“They were there to be beaten to be honest,” said White. “We gave them all their goals and should have won comfortably.

“We’ve done well in the competition and had a good run, now we’ve got to push on in the league.”

Little Lever continued their sudden impressive revival despite going down 3-2 at home to Tottington United.

They followed up their magnificent 5-1 victory over Prestwich the previous week with another quality display in the league to put them in good heart for this Saturday’s bottom two clash with Castle Hill.

Scott Bingham and Rob Beatty, twice, hit the post before two outstanding goals put the Mytham Road men on the back foot.

Bingham then provided both crosses for Beatty to side-foot then head Lever’s goals only for the third-placed visitors to score the winner 20 minutes from time.

It took Beatty’s goal tally to 20 for the season, 16 for the reserves and four since he stepped up to the first team five weeks ago.

Manager Lee Buckley said: “Usually I’m gutted when we lose but not this time because of the way we played against a top team – and they are a good team.

“Even after they scored their third we threw everything at them.”