HUNTINGDON boss Al Lenihan said he expected goalkeeper Dave Beeny to save the extra-time penalty that ensured Town progressed in the FA Vase.

FA Vase First Qualifying Round

Huntingdon Town 2-1 (aet) Mildenhall Town

HUNTINGDON boss Al Lenihan said he expected goalkeeper Dave Beeny to save the extra-time penalty that ensured Town progressed in the FA Vase.

Beeny saved David Cooper’s penalty with five minutes of extra time remaining to help Town claim their first win in the FA Vase after six years of trying, despite having played 80 minutes with 10 men.

Town took the lead through Stuart Eason, but Shaun Coulson’s dismissal for two bookable offences after Mildenhall’s equaliser – also from a penalty – meant a backs-to-the-wall effort from Lenihan’s troops.

After reaching extra time, Jordan Brockett’s goal on 110 minutes put the next round within sight, but there was a late scare when Cooper won his second spot-kick.

Lenihan said: “I wouldn’t say I was calm, but I was confident that Dave would save it. You don’t get two penalties against Beeny and score them both – he’s one of the best shot-stoppers in the league.

“A win in these circumstances says a lot about the commitment and loyalty in the squad,” he added. “They didn’t cause us any problems after we went down to 10. We made the switch to two banks of four, with one man up front, and let them have the ball.”

Lenihan’s men will host Felixstowe in the next round on September 18, and have the prospect of a derby day at St Neots Town in the following round if they can progress.

“Morale is so high that I feel we can beat anyone on our day, and the players feel that too,” said Lenihan. “We’ve got a bunch of local lads, we’re getting results and the gates are going up.”

Town’s hard-fought win also carried the bonus of adding �750 to the club coffers.

“We want to go as far as we can, as every round we go through benefits the club for the future,” said Lenihan.

Club chairman Hans Reif said: “It’s fantastic to have got through in the FA Vase after so many years. There’s a great feeling around the club.”