Liskeard Athletic 2 Ivybridge Town 3 (aet)

Liskeard produced an excellent battling performance before going out of the Walter C Parson League Cup in extra time to Ivybridge in a thriller at Lux Park on Wednesday night.

The Blues, unbeaten in division one west this season, matched their premier division opponents for much of the tie but red cards to Jarrad Woods and skipper Jack Podmore proved costly.

After a goalless first half, the game burst into life in the 57th minute when James Lorenz capitalised on a mistake by Ivybridge keeper Kane Gregory to put Liskeard ahead.

But the lead lasted only two minutes as James Rowe equalised from close range when Liskeard failed to clear a corner.

Woods, who was booked in the 62nd minute, picked up a second yellow card six minutes later to leave Liskeard facing the last 20 minutes with only 10 men.

And it took Ivybridge only six more minutes to take the lead for the first time with Joe O’Loughlin producing an excellent finish to beat Ollie Chenoweth.

The tie could have been done and dusted in the 77th minute when O’Loughlin sent another effort towards the net but the superb Adam King headed off the line.

That was the signal for Liskeard to introduce striker Sam Rogers for Ben Waters, and the home side made a determined effort to find an equaliser.

It arrived four minutes from the end of normal time when Podmore curled in a superb direct free kick from 20 yards to the delight of the home crowd.

The first half of extra time was even stevens until the dying seconds when Ivybridge midfield man Elliott Cunningham was allowed too much time on the edge of the penalty area and he drilled a powerful shot into the net.

Liskeard now had nothing to lose and poured forward at the start of the second period of extra time, with Ben Collins and Lorenz threatening with breaks along the right.

But the home side’s hopes were finally dashed eight minutes from the end when Podmore was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on O’Loughlin.

Referee Adam Bromley, a Football League assistant referee and a late replacement for original match official Ryan Cornelius, didn’t endear himself to the home supporters with some of his decisions.

Liskeard: O Chenoweth, A King, S Gilbert, J Podmore, D Peel, M Thorp (M Pascoe 106), L Johnson, J Lorenz, B Waters (S Rogers 78), J Woods, B Collins. Subs not used: J Oliver, D Inks, M Lindsay.

Goals: J Lorenz (57), J Podmore (86).

Yellow cards: L Johnson (40), J Woods (62 & 68),

Red cards: J Woods (second yellow, 68), J Podmore (112).

Ivybridge: K Gregory, H Bell, J Lane (T Hanrahan 95), E Cunningham, D Youldon, P Bromhead, J Rowe, J Zimmerman, K Fyneboy, J O’Loughlin, O Haslem. Subs not used: S Marker, J Anderson, M Piper (gk).

Goals: J Rowe (59), J O’Loughlin (74), E Cunningham (104).

Yellow cards: E Cunningham (35).

Referee: Adam Bromley (Plymouth).

Cornish Times MoM: Adam King – superb defensive performance from one of Liskeard’s unsung players.