AN astonishing finale was clouded in controversy as Winsford United progressed in the Macron League Cup at Barnton’s expense.

Blues, trailing 3-1 with six minutes remaining, suddenly came alive and got a result for their efforts in not giving up the chase.

First Robbie Hatton got on the end of a long cross to head past goalkeeper Robert Cooke, then Will Foster levelled matters in similar fashion with two minutes remaining.

Winsford then booked a home tie against West Didsbury & Chorlton with a contentious winner.

Both the referee and his assistant adjudged Foster’s header had crossed the line before being cleared.

Barnton were furious, and Patrick Hamid was given his marching orders because of his protests.

A howling gale made good football improbable from the start.

Barnton’s opening goal on 18 minutes was wind assisted when a long clearance by Cooke was gathered by Chris Bandell on the edge of the Winsford area and he steered it past Matthew Green.

The second Barnton goal on 35 minutes came after Green made a fine save but the defence failed to clear the rebound and Jack Woolley poked it over the line.

Winsford reduced the arrears on 77 minutes when, with the ball flying about in the Barnton box, Perry Bircumshaw was the first to react.

Jason McShane drove home what many thought would have been the winner for Barnton.

Winsford | Green (GK), Skolorzynski (Koral 46), Lee Duckworth, Sherwood, Jenyons, Foster, Fowles (Taylor 63), Hopper, Webb (Hatton 71), Gardner, Bircumshaw Subs not used Steele, Pickering Goals Bircumshaw 77, Hatton 84, Foster 88, 90 Booked Sherwood, Gardner

Barnton | Cooke (GK), Stafford, Hamid, Ford, O'Connor, James McShane, Woolley, Jason McShane, Smith, Bandell (Moores 85), Malone Subs not used Houghton, Crofts, Irlam, Kiernan (GK) Goals Bandell 18, Woolley 35, Jason McShane 80 Booked Woolley

Referee Carl Rooney

Attendance 46