FA VASE

Calne Town 4, Pewsey Vale 3

SIMON Hillier admits Calne got out of jail on Saturday after surrendering a two goal lead against Pewsey Vale in the FA Vase.

The Lilywhites will now play Tommy Saunders' Odd Down in round two, with £1,000 prize money on offer for the winner.

But assistant boss Hillier knows his side were fortunate to escape with an extra time win after letting their guard down.

"The match kind of summed up our season so far," said Hillier.

"We played really well in patches but we're still nowhere near playing to our full potential.

"Without being disrespectful to Pewsey, a better side would have punished us on Saturday.

"But we showed great character to fight back in extra time. We're in the hat for the next round and that's all that matters."

For 20 minutes Pewsey were chasing shadows as Glenn Armstrong and Kevin Banks fired the hosts into a 2-0 lead.

But Calne relaxed their grip on their Hellenic League opponents, who needed no second invitation to mount a comeback.

Craig Wall reduced the arrears for Pewsey with a neat near-post flick from Phil Penning's cross. The second half was a tense affair until, three minutes from time, the visitors were awarded a penalty.

James Hambridge kept his cool to send the tie into extra time.

Pewsey entertained hopes of an upset when Wall pounced on a blocked shot to fire his side in front.

James Lye answered immediately for Calne before player-manager Robbie Lardner stroked home the winner five minute from time.