STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 0

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 0
(Stalybridge won 5-4 on penalties)

CHRIS Butler missed Accrington's fourth penalty as they lost the GLS Conference Cup Northern final to lower league side Stalybridge Celtic.

Celtic are battling relegation in the Conference North but the cup giantkillers - who have knocked out Halifax and Morecambe so far - showed they have plenty of spirit to seal a national final clash with Woking.

Stanley, meanwhile, struggled to get out of their blocks. Keeper JonKennedy made his first start since breaking his leg in October and Stanley fans got their first glimpse of deadline day teenage signing Anthony Barry. But it was the home side who made the opening impression with Kennedy denying Nathan Wharton and Kevin Parr missing two open goals.

Stanley looked a threat on the wing but then winger Rory Prendergast was substituted after answering back to his manager on 24 minutes.

There were chances at either end but Celtic had the best chance to break the deadlock four minutes from time when captain Scott Bonsall hit the bottom of the post with Kennedy beaten.

The game went into extra-time and this time it was Stanley's time to hit the woodwork - sub Paul Mullin heading against the crossbar.

And it looked bleak for Celtic when defender Terry Bowker was sent off for a second bookable offence. But they held on for sudden death.

Lee McEvilly, Ged Brannan and Steve Flitcroft all fired home their penalties - and so did their Celtic counterparts. Butler's fourth was saved and, although Paul Howarth slotted home the fifth, the lower side celebrated scoring all theirs - and a place in the final.

Picture: www.kipax.com