Darlaston progressed to the Quarter Final stage of the prestigious Birmingham Senior Cup with a penalty shootout victory over a young Wolves side. Just 27 days after beating West Bromwich Albion Under 23s, also in a penalty shootout, in the same competition, Darlaston won 3-1 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

Following superb work by the Darlaston voluntary ground staff, the game was the only local non-league game to beat the weather. Considering the incessant rain over the previous 24 hours, the pitch played remarkably well, a testament to the hours put in to make the pitch playable.

The early exchanges were evenly contested. Half chances fell to the impressive Wolves striker Ethan McLeod, whilst Darlaston's Rivel Mardenborough just failed to direct his header on target from a James Rowland cross.

It was clear to see the quality of an excellent Wolves side, playing the ball out from the back and bringing wide men Alfie White and Thomas Edozie in to the game at every opportunity. Centre half Temple Ojinnaka was impressive, most of the play from the back going through him, Mason Rees, or skipper Filozofe Mabete.

Darlaston countered with a superb work rate, with quality play of their own, Aaron Bishop and Rivel Mardenborough keeping the Wolves defenders on their toes.

Mabete and Leo Lopes both had half chances for the visitors but neither keeper had a save of note to make in the first half, as defences held the upper hand.

The second half was more open, both sides playing some excellent attractive football to entertain the large crowd. Ethan McLeod was dangerous for the visitors whilst Darlaston full backs, Jack Downing and Lewis Gill had more of an attacking role.

McLeod for Wolves and Bishop for Darlaston both had chances, both shooting straight at keepers Allsopp and Benjamin respectively.

To the delight of the home supporters, Darlaston took the lead on 66 minutes. A Tom Allsopp clearance was flicked on by Mardenborough into the path of Bishop whose angled shot from 12 yards across keeper Benjamin found the bottom corner.

The home side enjoyed the better of the next few minutes, Mardenborough breaking into the box, his shot saved by the legs of Benjamin, Kieron miller shot high and wide from 22 yards,

Wolves second half substitute Caiden Voice impressed as he sprayed the ball across the park with precision. On 73 minutes it was his 30 yard cross field pass which led to the equaliser, he found Rees who whipped in a cross, causing havoc in the home defence, the ball eventually falling to McLeod who had the easiest of tasks to slot home from 3 yards.

Darlaston made three changes in an attempt to add fresh legs and options, Jeevan Purewal, Tom Cottam and Liam Wilkinson replacing Kieron Miller, Jake Pearson and Rivel Mardenborough.

In the closing stages keeper Allsopp made an excellent save to deny McLeod. Neither side could break the deadlock to find the winner and unbelievably for the fifth time this season Darlaston went into a penalty shootout.

The usually reliable James Rowland took the first kick, saved by Benjamin. Wolves missed the next penalty before, Gill, Purewal and Bishop scoring the next three Darlaston penalties. Wolves responded with a single success, before missing two, their fourth attempt saved by keeper Allsopp to send the underdogs through to the next round.

Boss Dean Gill reflected - "What a night for Darlaston Town Football Club !!. Firstly, massive respect and thanks to the ground staff who worked tremendously hard on the pitch over the previous day and throughout the morning and afternoon today, to make sure the game went ahead. The playing surface was excellent.

I am absolutely delighted for everyone, at the club, the volunteers, committee, supporters, my management team and of course the players. I am a boyhood Wolves fan, so it was an absolute privilege for me tonight to have my team play against a Wolves representative side. Every player and official of Wolves were great tonight, representing the club superbly, professional in every aspect.

I know it was a young Wolves side but make no mistake, they are professional footballers, they have an excellent team, full of fit, quality footballers, who are very well coached and superbly managed. That team beat their Liverpool counterparts 4-1 a few days ago so I am over the moon with the result.

We adapted really well to the circumstances and occasion and every one of my players, played their hearts out. We played with enthusiasm and showed plenty of quality of our own, sticking to our game plan superbly. A fantastic occasion where football, and particularly non-league football, was the winner tonight."