PONTELAND United booked a place in this weekend’s Challenge Cup semi-finals in the most dramatic fashion possible.

Trailing 2-1 to Gateshead Rutherford going into the final minute of 90, two goals before the end saw them into the final four of the competition where they will meet this season’s enemy Walker Central.

Walker head to Ponteland Leisure Centre looking to make it three cup competitions they have eliminated their hosts from this campaign. Both teams have picked up three points during the two meetings in the Premier Division.

And United did it in spectacular style by leaving it late against Rutherford, seemingly on their way out at the quarter-finals stage when behind after 89 minutes.

But their tactic to throw the kitchen sink at Gateshead paid off when Ethan Bewley was brought down in the area in the 90th minute, before he could get his shot away. Alex Nisbet hammered home the spot kick, the effort from 12 yards too powerful for teenage goalkeeper Lewis Darwood to keep out despite getting a hand to it.

With both teams bracing themselves for an additional half hour for extra time, Ponteland had a sting in the tail for their plucky visitors.

Reece Havelock-Brown collected a through ball in a central position and turned towards goal before slipping the ball past Darwood, becoming the dramatic match-winner despite bodies trying valiantly to keep the ball from crossing the line.

It was a real hammer blow to Gateshead who must have thought they had won the game themselves, only to end up eliminated after a mad few minutes.

The late show followed an entertaining game between the teams, United asking all the questions early on.

The hard working Gary Cook looked key to their attacks and he found Bewley who turned his man, only for his shot to come back off the post and into the grateful arms of Darwood.

The home side did take the lead on 25 minutes, with captain Glenn Ford instigating the move from the back.

Making good ground, Ford found Havelock-Brown and the talented midfielder did the rest as he advanced into the area and slotted the ball past Darwood.

United’s profligacy in front of goal was punished 10 minutes into the second half when Rutherford drew level, the referee awarded a penalty after Ford was ajudged to have barged an opponent in the back. Dean Short made no mistake in firing home.

Ponteland came back but, again, were left counting the cost of their inability to find the back of the net with the impressive Darwood making a string of great saves.

Yet Gateshead looked to have nicked it when they took the lead through substitute Dylan Howorth, who was on hand to tap in from close range after Pont failed to clear their lines from a corner.

The second bottom side were to have their hearts broken, though, as the quickfire goals from Nisbet and Havelock-Brown mean it is Ponteland who face Walker.

The winner of that tie will meet either Killingworth Town or Newcastle University in the final, the semis to take place this weekend.