VICS reached to the second round of the Macron League Cup, but needed penalties to do so.

Even then, it took a 94th-minute Adam Lawrence equaliser to prevent them exiting the competition in normal time.

Joe Howell’s effort just before half time meant Vics trailed, but they won through in the end after goalkeeper Mike Donlon saved two Whitchurch penalties.

With both sides having created chances early, Donlon and opposite number Cameron Phelps were forced into early action.

However, it was the hosts who took the lead with four minutes of the first half remaining.

Howell pulled the trigger from distance and his low effort was enough to beat Donlon.

In the second half, Brian Matthews forced Phelps into a good save as Vics chased an equaliser, but Donlon was again called into action to deny another long-range effort from Howell.

However, with the game in the final throes of injury time, a well-worked Vics short corner was delivered into the area and Lawrence powered home a header to take the tie to penalties.

It looked as though substitute Sam Marshall’s miss midway through the shoot-out would prove costly for Vics, but Donlon saved the hosts’ final two penalties to send Vics through.

Manager Steve Wilkes said: "I think a special mention goes to my man of the match Adam Lawrence.

"Adam’s come into the side in the last couple of games and it’s like he’s been playing there all season.

"He’s been assured on the ball, tremendous in the air, and the goal he scored showed that he’s a brave boy too."

Vics | Donlon (GK), McDonnell, Lawrence, Weston, Johnson, Fitton, Willis (Marshall 66), Bickett (Pollard 85), Gorman, Matthews, Durnin Subs not used Bennett, Gyimah, Pino Goal Lawrence 90 (+4) Booked Johnson, Marshall

Match report by Jamie Dewsbury