FLUFFING their lines in the penalty shootout meant Hexham’s scorching 3-1 victory over Prudhoe YC Seniors counted for little.

Under the new rules of the Clayton Charity Cup, the failure to pick up the extra point from the shootout following each group game scuppered the Northern Alliance side’s slight hopes of earning their place in the final.

As a result of their 2-1 loss, and subsequent 4-2 reversal on pens, to Corinthians League side Heddon St Andrew‘s on Monday evening, Hexham needed all four points from the match-up with newcomers Prudhoe on Wednesday.

And while they put in an excellent performance over the reduced 80 minutes to put themselves back in contention, wayward penalties from Steven Coates and Lewis Loughhead saw them eliminated from making the final as they again lost 4-2 from the spot.

It is not the first time in recent years Hexham’s performance from 12 yards has cost them, the team missing out on the Northumberland FA Minor Cup in 2003 in similar circumstances.

The result now means Prudhoe need all four points on Wednesday evening to progress. Anything else and it‘s hosts Heddon going through to the final at Haydon Bridge on July 29.

It was hard to bear for Hexham who knew they had a lot of work to do after losing their opening group game, the players keen to put it right by racing out of the traps.

Dean Barnard had the ball in the back of the net after just two minutes as he headed home from close range, but referee Asa McDonough ruled it out for a foul on Prudhoe keeper Andre Rhodes.

Steven Coates was causing all sorts of problems for the Prudhoe defence with wicked deliveries from his reliable left peg, while striker Marc Nixon threatened to get behind on numerous occasions without being able to threaten the goal.

Prudhoe’s first chance fell on 10 minutes when 17-year-old Callum Dawes was played in but his shot didn‘t have enough on it to trouble David Fava.

Moments later, Lee Blackburn caught everybody out with a quick free-kick into the feet of Paddy Finnerty who watched on in despair as his shot shaved the post.

The deadlock was broken on 26 minutes in spectacular fashion, a sweeping move from back to front finished with great aplomb.

With Coates, Connor Thompson and Joe Shepherd involved in an intricate passing move up the left wing, hard working midfield man Shepherd finished it fittingly with a brilliantly curled effort with his unfavoured right foot.

Former Stocksfield man Ben Pearson was introduced to proceedings before half time for Prudhoe and was involved immediately, testing Fava with a well-struck daisy cutter before getting things horrendously wrong moments later. Receiving a fantastic ball over the top from Danny Driver, he ignored shouts of ’time‘ and his rushed effort was scuffed high.

Prudhoe’s hopes of levelling things were dashed immediately after the restart.

Kurtis Harvey is carrying over his prolific form from last season and wasn‘t even on the pitch 30 seconds when he pounced for Hexham’s second, sending home a smart flick from close range after a great run and cross from man of the match Thomas North.

Another great move from North teed things up for Loughhead whose drilled shot forced a save from Rhodes, the goalkeeper again in action a minute later to stop a powerful effort from Nixon.

Prudhoe started to push on in search of a way back into the game and Dawes was denied by Fava, as was Lee Blackburn from a whipped free kick from close to 25 yards. Meanwhile, captain David Scott sent an effort wide with the goal gaping, but his blushes were spared as the official deemed it had been deflected wide for a corner.

The game was put to bed with 10 minutes remaining, though, Harvey again showing his predatory instincts as he nipped in at the front post to score almost from the goalline as North again turned provider from the right.

Prudhoe did earn a consolation with two minutes left on the clock, a great move ending with a cool finish from Pearson as he slid it away from Fava into the bottom corner.

Their hopes of making the final were boosted by going on to win the shootout 4-2, Sutcliffe, Andy Smith, Blackburn and Scott all converting to cancel out successful kicks from Hexham‘s Harvey and Patrick McAlindon.

But with Coates dragging his pen well wide and Loughhead blazing his over the top, Hexham are out of the equation.

They led their game with Heddon through Harvey but were undone by two free-kicks from Dan Walker, the Corinthians outfit then putting them to the sword on pens to put them in the driving seat for the showcase event at Haydon Bridge.

The winner of Group B will meet Ponteland United who booked their place with consecutive maximum points victories.

A first half brace from Ethan Bewley and second half strikes from Michael Armstrong and Rory Spencer saw them to an emphatic 4-0 win over Group A hosts Wallington on Monday, going on the win the shootout 3-2.

It was much closer as they faced Prudhoe Town on Wednesday as they edged their opponents out 3-2 through goals from Armstrong, Bewley and Billy Holden, gaining a second maximum with a 4-2 penalty triumph.