IT WAS the end of the road last week for Eastern Counties Revenue and Customs' hopes in the national civil service cup when they were beaten by the North West after extra time in a quarter-final played at Cornard.

Elvin King

IT WAS the end of the road last week for Eastern Counties Revenue and Customs' hopes in the national civil service cup when they were beaten by the North West after extra time in a quarter-final played at Cornard.

Ipswich area players Kevin Holland, Ian Watson, Thomas Allnutt and Ben Firman were in the side, but Jamie Sandilands and Tommy Lankaster were both missing through injury.

Holland made some good early saves in an all-round excellent display, but the home team were behind at the interval.

Soon after the re-start a good cross saw Allnutt lose his marker and equalise. North West regained the lead in the 75th minute, and down to 10 men after using all three substitutes and losing a player through a broken nose Eastern Counties were up against it.

A commanding Watson went on a mazy run but saw his shot saved, but in the final minute the home side grabbed a second equaliser from distance.

Eastern Counties missed chances in extra-time with North West converting a penalty to book themselves a semi-final game against Northern Ireland in Belfast.