GRIMSBY Borough's League Cup dream is over after being knocked out by Premier Division outfit Armthorpe Welfare.
The Wilderness Boys went down 3-1 to Wellie at the Bradley Community Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Borough's chances of progressing to the quarter- finals were dealt a major blow when Scott Raworth was sent off after only 15 minutes.
But the 10-man hosts battled bravely and took the lead on 25 minutes when Steve Davis pounced on a fumble by visiting keeper Will Biggs to slam the ball home.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Borough were playing well – Josh Fuller struck the post with a well-hit drive and Davis tested the keeper from 18 yards minutes later.
But, Armthorpe finally equalised on 70 minutes when their manager, former Doncaster Rovers man Leo Fortune-West capitalised on some indecision from the Borough keeper.
Despite the setback, Nigel Fanthorpe and Steve Newby's men looked the more likely to snatch the win.
But, with extra time looming, Wellie's Richard Smith rose highest at the far post to head home with only a minute of the game to go.
And then, after Borough's Mark Courtly was adjudged to have brought down Smith in the area, Reece Richard hammered home a 90th minute penalty to give the scoreline a flattering look for the visitors.
The Wilderness Boys will be looking to bounce back when they return to league action with a home clash against Hemsworth Miners Welfare on Saturday.
See tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for previews to the weekend's Northern Counties East League action.
