CHEPSTOW Town needed a late equaliser and penalty shoot-out to see off Gwent Premier hosts Abertillery Bluebirds in the first round proper of the FAW Welsh Cup.

The rearranged tie following a waterlogged goalmouth got off to the worst possible start for the Ardal South East high-flyers when Bluebirds' Luke Pullinger opened the scoring on 12 minutes, breaking free behind the Jockeys' defence to fire home from the edge of the box.

However, the lead only lasted eight minutes as Josh Parsons drew Chepstow level with a superb eighth goal of the season, blasting a defender's header on the volley beyond the keeper's reach from the right of the area.

Pullinger again posed the question though with his second of the afternoon on 57 minutes, sliding the ball past Jockey keeper Matthew Swann from close-range on the right to restore Bluebirds’ lead.

Chris Ham had the opportunity to restore parity almost immediately from the penalty spot, but the former Ardal Golden Boot winner blasted high and wide of the right post.

Goal line clearances and the woodwork kept the Jockeys out as they piled forward looking for a leveller.

But with the game into stoppage time and an upset on the cards, Lewis Bamford stepped up to fire home a free-kick into the left hand-corner from 30 yards for 2-2, leaving the Bluebirds No 1 rooted to the spot and ensuring penalties.

Bamford then saw his spot kick saved, but successful penalties from Ham, Mason Keepin-Davis and goalkeeper Swann won the shootout 3-2 to send Chepstow through.

The Jockeys 2nds also drew 2-2 in normal time at home to New Inn Development in the Gwent Premier Combination League.

Lewis Griffiths-Burdon put them 1-0 up after three minutes and Bailey Hobbs doubled the lead on 57 minutes.

But New Inn hit back to share the points with two goals in the last 10 minutes in a frustrating finale.

Chepstow 1sts host Abercarn in the league on Saturday (October 3).