Merlins Bridge 3.

Herbrandston 1.

Super-sub Stephen McNabney came off the bench to score and assist and earn the magical Wizards a cup victory over gritty Herbrandston at the Racecourse.

Carrying an ankle injury, McNabney sat out the first-half, with the score level at one-goal apiece he came on and his influence on this gripping cup-tie definitely swung it in the Bridge’s favour.

Deadly McNabney was given far too much time and space inside the box in the 73rd minute, and the dangerous striker finished clinically off the inside of Jon Crimmins’ right-hand post to make it 2-1.

Eight minutes later, and the striker’s well-measured one-two with Simon Thomas, resulted in the latter left-sided midfielder delightfully lifting the ball over Crimmins, and ultimately killing-off Herbrandston’s cup dreams.

Both these teams have reached the Senior Cup final in recent years, and so it proved a mouth-watering tie.

The hosts scored with their very first attack of this lively cup clash.

Robbie Waters’ excellent through ball gave diminutive striker Michael Canton the chance to run clear and calmly slot the ball beyond the reach of Crimmins.

However, this goal inspired the visitors and they began to exert pressure on the Wizards defence, which was well marshalled by captain Chris Ormond.

Leigh Marchant’s header went inches over the bar from a corner; Ben Phillips’ long-range effort and Josh Smart both missed the target, when at least they should have tested the keeper.

Herbie manager Steve Batty was delighted that his side was awarded a definite penalty in the 26th minute.

Wizards’ defender Paul Thomas was penalised by referee Ian Baxter for handball in his own area.

Martin Langdon kept his nerve as he drilled the resulting spot-kick comfortably past Wizards’ keeper Ian Kerrsion.

However, in the second period the visitors felt they had a real chance of getting a result - but that was until influential super-sub McNabney came into the thick of action and turned this tie on its head.

Merlins Bridge: Ian Kerrison, Chris Ormond, Matthew Morrissey, Peter Thomas, Paul Thomas, Sean Halpin, Matthew D’Ivry, Carl Mason, Michael Canton, Robbie Waters, Simon Thomas. Subs: Steve McNabney, Nathan Thomas, Tony Jones.

Herbrandston: Jon Crimmins, Aaron Bowles, Nathan Banner, Leigh Marchant, Martin Langdon, Ben Phillips, Marc Gelona, Luke Hayward, Mark Jones, Josh Smart, Jonathan Bennett. Subs: Sean Gelona, Scott John, Steve Batty.

Referee: Ian Baxter.