Darlaston progressed to the Walsall Senior Cup semi-final following a dramatic penalty shoot win against their illustrious opponents.

With full backs Jack Downing and Harry Chesterton injured, skipper Alex Foreshaw suspended and on loan Wolves keeper James Storer moving to Chester City manager Dean Gill had to reshuffle his back four. Kieran Cook and Bailey Storey slotting in to unaccustomed full back roles whilst debuts were given to on loan Wolves youngsters central defender Hayden Carson and keeper Stan Amos. Of the defensive line up that played against Sporting Khalsa on Boxing Day only Ben Podmore remained.

The first half saw defences on top, neither keeper unduly troubled and good chances few and far between. Aaron Bishop came closest for the home side hitting the cross bar from a difficult angle wide left. Former Raith Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker Manny Daku was a threat for the visitors with their best chance in the first half.

Neither side was able to dominate or impose themselves for any period of time as defences were on top as the sides went into the half time break goalless.

The second half was more open, the visitors looking threatening early on without forcing keeper Amos into a save of note. As the game again settled into a competitive game with two evenly matched sides the good size crowd were well entertained.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock on 53 minutes. Jack Bearne with a superbly executed goal, slotting home beyond the advancing keeper Amos after being sent clear by an incisive Jacob Gwilt pass on 53 minutes.

Darlaston's response was immediate, within two minutes the pace of Rivel Mardenborough saw him break clear of the Hednesford defence following a superb Mitch Botfield pass, beating keeper Tony Breedon to the ball and superbly chipping over Breedon for a sublime finish.

The game settled back into a similar rhythm neither side enjoying any degree of domination.

That was until the 66th minute, the impressive Duku giving the visitors the lead with a thunderous finish from 4 yards following a deep cross to the back post.

Darlaston pressed for the equaliser, and it was impressive youngster Hayden Carson causing trouble in the penalty area from a James Rowland free kick that forced an own goal on 85 minutes.

Neither side created any other chance of note the game going to a penalty shoot out after finishing 2-2 at 90 minutes.

Hednesford's Dan Trickett Smith stepped up to put his side ahead with the first spot kick. James Rowland converting easily for the hosts to equalise. Former Accrington Stanley midfielder Niall Watson saw Amos superbly dive to his left to save his spot kick. Leo Wood converted his spot kick comfortably to put the hosts ahead. Amos again saved from Matthew Barnes-Homer but the referee ordered a retake, Amos apparently off his line. Barnes-Homer converted the retake to make it 2-2. Carson oozed confidence as he struck his penalty powerfully beyond Breedon to make it 3-2. Keeper Amos was again the hero for the home side with a super save to deny Omar Holness. Aaron Bishop stepped up to send his team into the semi-final confidently converting, giving keeper Breedon no chance, Darlaston going through 4-2 on penalties.