Worth The 'Waite

The game finished goalless after extra time but Postlethwaite denied two Edinburgh players from the spot to send Northumbria into the last eight.

 

"Neil was definitely the hero today," said Northumbria manager Paul Johnson.

 

"They had more chances than us today and he's made the saves that have been the difference."

 

In a scrappy first half the home side were very nearly ahead early on but Tom Davies' diving header was well stopped by the visitors' goalkeeper.

 

Postlethwaite did well to beat away a stinging drive from outside the area as the home side struggled to get the ball down and play their natural game.

 

Northumbria had chances to go ahead before half time as Tom Chipendale fired over and Gavin Donoghue sent his free kick the same way but the game remained scoreless at the break.

 

"They did well congesting the midfield and denying us space," Johnson said.

 

"Even when we brought Dan Riley on they closed on us quickly which left us playing longer than we would have liked."

 

Johnson's side came out more urgently in the second period and a goal-mouth scramble from a corner nearly broke the deadlock but Peter Watling saw his effort blocked by a defender.

 

Edinburgh were reduced to 10 men following a dismissal of a midfielder for two bookable offences in a game that had been physically demanding from the get-go.

 

Despite their man advantage the hosts created few clear cut opportunities towards the end of the game, Lee Scott sending a header over the bar and Chipendale being denied what appeared a clear penalty.

 

"It was a bonus defensively that we played well today," said Johnson.

 

"But it could come with a price as Tom (Davies) took a knock and we'll be getting him assessed tomorrow."

 

Postlethwaite came to Northumbria's rescue again as he denied an Edinburgh striker one-on-one as the first period of extra time got underway.

 

Chipendale headed wide from a Donoghue free kick but the hosts failed to capitalise on pinpoint set piece deliveries from their captain all day.

 

And the home side once again had their goalkeeper to thank as the game wound down, diving low to his right to dig out a side-footed effort to ensure the tie would go to penalties.

 

Scott, Donoghue and Watling dispatched their penalties in the shootout and Postlethwaite saved Edinburgh's first and third spot kicks to leave Riley to tuck away the tie with his top corner penalty.

 

"It was difficult for Lee (Scott) and Peter (Watling) as they were feeding on scraps for most of the game but in a shootout I always fancied our chances," Johnson said.

 

"I almost felt like they had used up their chances to win the game and given the amount of goals we score giving us penalties is probably our easiest opportunity.

 

"We hung on at times during the game with Neil playing a massive part and I backed him to save one or two in the shootout.

 

"Cups are a big thing for us and I'll never put out a weakened side because reaching a final is a massive accolade for every player."