Hayes & Yeading United had to overcome an early setback in this Presidents Cup 1st round tie when a third minute corner was allowed to bounce in the six yard box and Wingate centre-back Ahmet Rifat was on hand to hook the ball past the exposed John Peacock in the United goal.

In the context of the two earlier Capital League games between the sides, which accumulated 15 goals, this early goal was maybe not such a surprise, however anybody looking for another goal fest was to be somewhat short changed.

United immediately started to push for an equaliser, Robert Gradwell played the ball into Franck Padovani’s run, the striker hitting a shot from an angle that went wide of the target into the side netting. Padovani and Scott Fitzgerald then combined to provide a shooting chance for Dan Mehmet but this again was off target.

After 14 minutes Padovani went even closer when he burst into the box to get on the end of a perfect Fitzgerald throughball, his effort being well saved by the legs of keeper Callum Horton.

Around the half hour mark Wingate started pushing for another. A fine ball to the feet of striker Max Martin saw him scoop the ball over when well placed and then Alfie Bartram and Martin set up a chance for Raphael Sylvester but his effort from range was comfortably dealt with by Peacock.

Minutes later the game was levelled. Jack Pattison went on a surge from the middle of the park only to be tripped by Paul Wright as he charged into the area, referee Mays this time pointing to the spot having rejected a claim at the other end minutes earlier. Pattison picked himself up to coolly dispatch the penalty past Horton.

Minutes later Gradwell should have given United the lead when he ran onto a Mehmet pass but his shot was too close to Horton and the keeper did well to block with his flailing leg.

Final chance of the half went to the visitors when Bartram tried his luck from the edge of the area with the ball going inches wide of the far post.

United were to have the bulk of possession and chances in the second period but still could not find a winner. Padovani danced past his marker on the edge before firing wide and minutes later Yves Ndengue moved onto a Mehmet pass but the ball was smothered at his feet by Horton.

Ndengue then sliced a shot wide before substitute Daniel Wishart turned past Elliot Green and found Gradwell in the area, his shot being blocked by Wright. Wingate substitute Dawe Lamb had a dipping shot that just cleared Peacock’s bar and in the closing moments a scramble in the United area saw Pattison clear off his own goalline.

United final chance had come just seconds before the above scramble when Mehmet set up Wishart who tried for the corner only to be denied by a fine diving Horton save that saw the keeper touch the ball around the post.

And so to penalties we went. Wingate scored their first before Mo Dikuiza stepped up only to be denied by Horton, Wingate netted again and Mark Doyle made it 1-2. Lamb then smacked his kick against the bar leaving Pattison to pull it level. Peacock then made consecutive saves from Martin and Aron Freeman, with Gradwell netting in between it was United who progressed without the need for their fifth kick.

Report by Kevin Watts.

Website United Man of the Match: Alex Duffy.