CRAIG Cairns’ penalty two minutes from time sent Winsford United out of the Cheshire FA Senior Cup at the last 16 stage on Tuesday.

Blues had twice fought back to level before the Cammell Laird front man converted from the spot, securing for the North West Counties League Division One promotion hopefuls a quarter finals date with Congleton.

The home team had taken the lead inside three minutes, Joe Holt shooting with power from close range after Joe Gibiliru headed a corner back across goal.

Rob Byrne’s men levelled after quarter of an hour when Sam Marshall, flagged offside by a linesman only for the referee to overrule his assistant, skipped clear before beating former Winsford goalkeeper Michael Langley.

Controversy followed when Cammell Laird made it 2-1; Cairns’ shot was cleared off the line by Will Wareing, while a defender blocked the striker’s follow-up attempt.

However referee Shaun Mohan judged the ball to have crossed the line.

Jon Jones had already gone close before restoring parity for a second time, diverting Alex Byrne’s header into the net from Matthew Tierney’s free kick.

Blues were better after the break, and Dale Jennings ought to have done better than shooting off-target when he received the ball in space.

Langley tipped substitute Jamie McQuillan’s attempt around an upright before a Marshall effort was deflected for a corner.

Cairns kept calm to settle the outcome when extra time loomed, ending Winsford’s three-match unbeaten run.

Cammell Laird Langley (GK), Couch, Foy, Ferrigan, Tosny, Evans (Blackhurst 68), Speed (O’Brien 70), Gibiliru, Cairns, Hughes (McGann 70), Holt Subs not used Vasallo, Atherton Goals Holt 3, Cairns 21, 88 (penalty) Booked Langley, Gibiliru, Holt

Winsford Andy Jones (GK), Byrne, Wareing, Baker, Jon Jones, Ellison (Gough 68), Seol (McQuillan 60), Tierney, Riley (Egan 60), Jennings, Marshall Subs not used none Goals Marshall 15, Jon Jones 34 Booked Ellison, Tierney

Referee Shaun Mohan

Attendance 37

Additional reporting by Bob Astles