COLDEN Common came within a whisker of causing a major upset in the Wessex League Cup at Locks Heath last night where the Division 3 battlers were finally beaten 4-3 on penalties.

Dave Riddell's side led the Division 2 title-chasers 2-0 in 90 minutes and 3-2 in extra time of this first round tie which finished 3-3 before Common narrow- ly missed out in the penalty shoot-out.

"I thought that we were a bit unlucky tonight but we are not disappointed, there are many positives that we can take from tonight's performance," said Common assistant manager Nigel Light.

A 20th-minute goal by James Atterbury plus a superb diving header by Dean Higgins right on the stroke of half time gave the Commoners a 2-0 interval lead.

But 'Heath rallied after the restart and strikes from Mike Summers and John Whitfield sent the tie into overtime. A Jim Hart header restored Common's advantage after 104 minutes with Pete Lyons levelling again for the home side five minutes from time.

There was another late finish at Brading Town but it had nothing to do with extra time!

The Hamble Club coach broke down at Cowes and the home club sent out a fleet of cars to bring the players and officials over to Brading's ground and the match didn't kick-off until 8.35pm.

But that's where Brading's hospitality ended as a far post header by central defender Brian Attrill on 67 minutes and a 20-yard piledriver from Richard Sprooles after 80 minutes sealed the Islanders a 2-0 verdict.

Two second-half goals also earned Fawley a 2-0 home success against Division 3 side QK Southampton who had striker Kev Mackay stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle.

Matt Plank opened the scoring for the Oilers after 50 minutes following a quick break upfield and a stunning 40-yard volley over the QK keeper by Ben Murphy five minutes later clinched their second round ticket.

"I'm very pleased with the result, we'll take any win at the moment," smiled Fawley manager Kev Dawtry.

One goal was enough for ten-man Netley Central Sports who downed their high-riding Division 3 rivals Fleetlands 1-0 at Station Road.

Good work by Kristian Pell saw him find Ricky Bull who fired the home side into a 15th-minute lead which they had to protect with ten men from the 51st minute onwards after Aaron Vine was red-carded for his challenge on the Fleetlands keeper.

Romsey hot-shot Paul Smith returned from holiday in Cornwall to rattle in a four-goal salvo, including a first-half hat-trick, as the Division 2 leaders napped Ludgershall Sports 5-2, Andy Fung also finding the net.

Whitchurch United did their best to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory - they led US Portsmouth 4-0 with 20 minutes remaining and ended up scrapping home 4-3!

Two-goal James Hemmings and Chris Iddles put the North Hampshire club into a 3-0 interval lead and they looked home and dry when Gary Nowell bagged his first goal for the club on the hour to make it 4-0.

But a Drew Bryant own goal (70), plus efforts by substitute Dominic Lewis (80) and John Wallsgrove (89) had the home fans on edge.

Strikes from Ian Cadnam (16 and 62) plus further blows by Matt Tyler (48), James O'Keefe (55) and Barry Smith (70) steered AFC Aldermaston to a comfortable 5-0 victory against Fleet Spurs.

"Tonight's win will be very important for our confidence," said Aldermaston boss Steve Kirby.