Notts County youth team booked their place in the Midland Youth Cup Final with a dramatic extra time win over their Shrewsbury Town counterparts.
In a close Semi-Final encounter at the Greenhous Meadow Stadium, the hosts saw the better of the early exchanges and goalkeeper Harry Andrews was required to make a number of fine saves before the break.
For Notts, Malachi Lavelle-Moore watched a decent effort fly off target and Romello Nangle’s dangerous cross was almost forced an own goal.
Skipper Kyle Dixon came closest ahead of the interval, when his 25-yard hit cannoned back off the foot of the post, with the home goalkeeper, Connor Wearing, rooted to the spot.
Wearing was not beaten during the second period, despite the best efforts of Lavelle-Moore and Nangle, which prompted a collection of impressive stops.
Andrews also remained in top form and made a superb save down to his left to hold onto his clean sheet.
Neither side was able to find the net during the 90, meaning the match was taken into extra time.
And, it looked as though the Shrews were going to win the match, when Scott Ryan rifled into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the box.
However, County showed great fighting spirit and a great low delivery from Dixon was met at the back post by substitute Anthony Dwaer – a trialist under 16 drafted in from the Academy - to get them back on level terms.
Nangle grabbed the winning goal late into the second period of extra time with a stunning left-footed hit inside the near post, which prompted mass celebrations on the touchline.
The hard-fought victory means that the Magpies will face a tough Walsall outfit in the Final of the competition.
Man of the Match: Jack Golding
Full Time: Shrewsbury Town Youth Team 1-2 Notts County Youth Team