THACKLEY survived a major scare on Tuesday night, as Ilkley Town came agonisingly close to pulling off a cup upset.

The pair faced off in the Northern Counties East League League Cup second round and the Dennyboys won the match 3-2.

But the scoreline only tells half of the story, as Town had their goalkeeper Matthew Keen sent off while the game was still goalless, meaning star forward Kevin Gonzalez had to go in goal for the rest of the match.

They then fell 2-0 down with 20 minutes to go, before rallying with two goals in a minute to equalise.

But Thackley had the last word, as a winner for the hosts at the death sent Sam Dexter's side out of the cup.

Ilkley started brightly, but Thackley grew stronger as the half wore in and looked likeliest to go in front.

The game was still goalless heading into first-half stoppage-time when Thackley striker Ben Grech-Brooksbank was brought down by Keen, who caught him late with a tackle just outside of the box.

The referee had little option but to show the red card, meaning Gonzalez had to go in between the sticks for Town.

The subsequent free-kick flashed inches wide, and Thackley took the lead early in the second half when Tawheed Ahmed lobbed the stranded Gonzalez, before Luke Baldwin had a strong penalty appeal turned down at the other end.

Ben Bodle doubled Thackley's lead with a strike into the bottom corner, but then the fightback took place.

Full back Lewis Storton blasted home at the near post after beating the home offside trap, before substitute Alfie Dean drove past his man and nutmegged keeper Luke Wilson to make the score 2-2.

Gonzalez then made a couple of great saves, while Joe Snowden almost volleyed Ilkley in front.

But Grech-Brooksbank had the last word, scoring Thackley's winner deep into added time by keeping his cool in a one-on-one with Gonzalez.

Campion were in action last night in the same competition, but they were dumped out after throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 against Penistone Church at Scotchman Road.

The hosts started superbly, with a Nicky Boshell penalty and a goal from Matthew Swift putting them in control in the opening half-hour.

Nicky Boshell (left) helped get Campion off to a good start, but Penistone Church fought back superbly to make it through in the cup. Nicky Boshell (left) helped get Campion off to a good start, but Penistone Church fought back superbly to make it through in the cup. (Image: Alex Daniel.)

But former Eccleshill striker Antony Brown reduced the deficit late in the first half, before Leon Hurles-Brook came back to haunt his old club by equalising with 20 minutes to go.

And Sheffield-based side Penistone won the game late on through Kieran Ryan.

In-form Guiseley cut it fine at Whitby Town on Tuesday night in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Former Lion Jake Charles put the hosts in front early on, only for Joe Ackroyd to equalise on 73 minutes for Mark Bower’s side.

And Guiseley came away with all three points in the end thanks to Ollie Brown’s last-gasp winner.