RYAN Malone held his nerve to score a decisive penalty that sealed a shoot-out success for Barnton against Hanley Town in the Reusch First Division Cup final last night, Tuesday.

The teams had been level at 1-1 after extra time.

Hanley’s Nathan Grice stepped up first in the shoot-out, only for his kick to strike a post.

Chris Smith, captain Kev Pollard, Jason McShane and Callum Scott all converted for the Villagers before Malone despatched his attempt past goalkeeper Josh Samberg to seal victory at Congleton Town’s Booth Street home.

It was the perfect way for Barnton to avenge successive league defeats against the table-toppers this season, including a 1-0 reverse in February in Leon Knight’s final game in charge.

They had fallen behind in unfortunate circumstances on 17 minutes, when a corner that arrived at the back post was deflected into his own goal by Jason McShane.

Lassana Sidibie twice spurned chances to double Hanley’s lead, heading against the crossbar in the first instance before firing high from close range when he next had sight of goal.

Goalkeeper Richie Mottram kept Barnton in the contest with a smart save to steer Josh Thorpe’s header to safety in the second half before Danny Meadowcroft’s men conjured an equaliser.

It was well worth the wait too.

When Hanley only partially cleared a long ball into their penalty area, Matthew Rigby returned it with force to score via an upright.

Mottram was again decisive in extra time, blocking at his near post to deny skipper Theo Stair.

Barnton, on course to contest the Division One promotion play-offs with four league games left to play, then kept calm to win 5-4 on penalties.

They return to action at home to Holker Old Boys tomorrow, Thursday, kick off 8pm.

Barnton | Mottram (GK), Stafford, Fielding, Pollard, Rigby, Burke, Laverty (Hayes 74), McShane, Chris Smith, Webster (Scott 46), Malone Subs not used Garner, Burgess, Harrison Goal Rigby 78

Hanley | Hemmings (GK), Evans, Blowers, Joel Stair, Grice, Stanyer, German (Ward 102), Thorpe, Sidibie, Theo Stair, Edwards (Mellor 90) Subs not used Morton, Skellern, Watson Goal McShane 17 (own goal)

Referee Lewis Smith

Attendance 235