SUBSTITUTE Dougie Carroll scored a stoppage time winner to keep Winsford United on course to lift the trophy again for the first time since 2008.

Blues beat Witton Albion en route that season too.

This victory bore the hallmarks of that one, a 5-3 success; the visitors created more chances than their hosts, and were more cohesive in possession.

Lloyd Morrison’s men were almost made to pay though, for Albion assistant manager Mike Moseley headed an undeserved equaliser with seven minutes to go, leaving extra time to loom large.

But teenager Carroll, who only joined the club last week, steered in Phil Drummond’s low cross to settle the contest before then.

Winsford’s reward is to host the final against holders Northwich Victoria later this month.
Blues, unbeaten in their previous six matches, led inside a quarter hour.

Andy Keogh, outstanding in a creative role, supplied a driven centre for striker Charlie Weir.

The front man’s initial attempt was diverted onto a post by goalkeeper Stuart Plant, but he was first to the rebound with Witton’s defence static.

Albion, slow to circulate the ball and inaccurate when trying to be decisive, came closest when Josh Glover’s cross was deflected narrowly over by a retreating Brian Matthews.

Winsford ought to have doubled their lead when Callam Gardner sneaked onto a lofted pass, but Plant was swift to smother his shot.

The custodian was less careful a minute later, taking his eye off the ball when trying to trap it to leave Weir with a clear sight of goal.

Plant recovered brilliantly to divert his shot to safety.

Witton improved after the interval, top scorer Shaun Tuck fizzing a shot off target before former Winsford winger Josh Hancock swerved a free kick against the crossbar.

Keogh conjured a chance for Gardner, but his finish was wasteful, then Tuck cut inside a defender only to drag his attempt wide following Danny Andrews’ fine approach.

Moseley’s cushioned header, from Joe Shaw’s centre, restored parity with time running out but Carroll kept cool to apply the finishing touch when Drummond joined the attack from full back.

Star Man Andy Keogh (Winsford United) The only player on the pitch who looked capable of improvising when there wasn’t an option for a pass. One episode in the first half, when he swept an arcing assist from one flank to the other with the outside of his foot to pick out Brian Matthews, was as brilliant as it was impudent.

Witton (4-5-1) Plant (GK), Sheehan, Ben Harrison (Wood 46), Horne, Glover, Jamie Harrison (Andrews 68), James, Shaw, Powell (Moseley 68), Hancock, Tuck. Subs not used Cooper (GK), Ashworth. Goal Moseley 83. Booked Powell (foul)

Winsford (4-3-3) Jones (GK), Blair, Maynard, Anderson, Drummond, Foy (Bennett 71), McGonigle, Keogh, Gardner, Weir (Carroll 49), Matthews (McDonnell 58). Subs not used Duckworth, Egan. Goals Weir 12, Carroll 90 (+3). Booked Blair (kicking the ball away), McDonnell (foul)

Referee Peter Gibbon (Northwich)
Attendance 101