Wivenhoe suffered Vandanel Trophy heartbreak as they bowed out of the quarter-finals in extra-time 2-1 at Northwood on Tuesday.

It was a great battling performance from the Dragons, who played for 50 minutes with just ten men after Alan Day was sent off and were vastly depleted by injuries and unavailabilities.

Lee Abrahart (ribs), Joff March (groin), Julian Hazel (flu), Dave McKrory (away) and Jimmy Clewley (suspended) all missed out, with reserve teamers Curtis Mariah and Mark Hayton drafted in.

The visitors spent much of the game on the back foot, but took the lead on the half an hour when Gary Hudson fired through a crowd of players.

Northwood were back on terms soon after the break with a goal that Wivenhoe defenders were adamant was offside.

Then came Day's dismissal, for retaliation, and from that point on goalkeeper Ollie Sanders was called upon to make a number of fine saves.

It wasn't until the 117th minute that Northwood claimed their winner to end the Dragons' brave resistance as penalties loomed.

Steve Pitt, co-manager, said: "It was disappointing but the players were magnificent. We battled and battled and it's a tragedy for the boys that it didn't go to penalties.

"We have to draw positives out of situations and we have proved we are not far off a side capable of promotion."

Wivenhoe's quest for silverware hinges on next Tuesday's match at Tiptree in the East Anglian Cup.

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