SEVERN Tunnel moved into Round Two of the Gwent Amateur Cup with a fine giant-killing display, edging out Blaenavon in a nerve-jangling penalty shootout.

The visitors scored their first two penalties and then their keeper saved Tunnel's first two spot-kicks.

But with dark clouds blocking what light was left, Tunnel's keeper Tom Pickin saved two to bring his side back into the battle.

The advantage swung the other way as Tunnel scored their next two – including one taken by Pickin himself – but two efforts went wide and the happy keeper was mobbed by his teammates after a memorable match.

Blues are 48 places and three divisions above Tunnel in Division 1 of the Gwent County League and were firm favourites to progress. But as Tunnel manager Steve Duddridge said before kick-off, his players had little pressure on them.

"We'll give them a game," he said. "No pressure on us – it's all on them."

Both teams started well but clear-cut chances were few and far between with defences and both keepers in good form.

Blues were denied a penalty at the end of the first half but almost immediately, they took the lead when a free kick out on the left, bounced around in the Tunnel goal mouth before being poked over the line by Ben Penry.

The second half saw more of the same, both sides having their moments but finding their opponent's defence a tough nut to crack.

Then a second yellow card offence reduced Blues to 10 men and, having used all their substitutes, they suffered another blow when a player pulled a hamstring and limped off.

Tunnel piled on the pressure and in a carbon copy of Blues' goal, Oliver Morgan-Davies was on hand to stab the ball home to force extra time.

The extra 30 minutes was a cagey affair and with neither side able to break the deadlock, the dramatic penalty shoot-out followed.

As his players celebrated victory, Duddridge said the sending off was the turning point.

"I thought we might as well go for it after that," he said.

"We were a goal down but I felt we could score so I changed our formation, put two men up front and it worked.

"I don't mind who we draw in the next round but it would be nice to get another home match. Whoever it is, we will give them a good game."

Pictured top left: Severn Tunnel's Chris Owram (blue shirt) commits a foul just outside the penalty area.

Left: Severn Tunnel's keeper Tom Pikin, also pictured right, is mobbed by his teammates after his saves put them through.