Mersey Valley fought back from 3-0 down before undeservedly being knocked out of the Cheshire Cup in a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out on a warm, muggy Chester evening.

Manager Jon Hudson made changes from the side that lost to Wigan Town. Alfie Howarth moved to right back with Nathan Wilson and Aaron Johnson making their full debuts, but the headlines were all about the return to the side of Sam Deering. Renshaw, Baroudi and Woolley made way in a tactical shale up.

It was a great start but the visitors, Goldrick dug out a brilliant cross, but Adams header was straight at the keeper. Valley were using the ball better, Evans making a good start to the game dictating play well.

Tucker picked up a yellow card for a bad tackle on Adams as the home side started to get frustrated. The supporters on the sideline started to hurl abuse at the Valley management team to try and get their own side going. Nomads play in the West Cheshire Football League, 2 levels higher than Mersey Valley.

Evans was also booked after an accumulation of fouls, the supporters making sure the referee showed the card.

The home side started to get more of the ball but Greenwood and Roach looked solid again at the back, fitness levels were being tested on a hot night.

The deadlock was broken on 38 minutes. The dangerous Spridgeon burst down the right and squared for Rowlands to fire home to give Nomads the lead.

Riley was then booked by the referee, a decision that baffled most. The official was having a poor game and seemed heavily influenced by the noise coming from the Nomads players and supporters.

The half-time whistle went and Mersey Valley were very unfortunate to be behind.

HT: Chester Nomads 1 Mersey Valley 0

The second half started and the home side took control but another poor decision by the referee frustrated the visitors. Smyth curled a dangerous ball into the box, Rowlands in a clear offside position blocked Gorst’s view of the ball but the referee allowed the goal and Chester Nomads took a 2-0 lead.

It was then 3-0, great link play by Spridgeon and the impressive Evans and the number 8 calmly slotted the ball past Gorst.

The home side celebrated like they’d won the game but Mersey Valley had other ideas and the next fifteen minutes they produced their best football of the season so far.

Goldrick started the comeback with his first goal of the season

The first goal for turned in from close range by Niall Goldrick after great work down the left by Sam Deering.

Four minutes later it was game on as Joel Riley smashed the ball home following a scramble from a corner. The home side were stunned and the visitor were flying.

The comeback was complete with the best goal of the game. Deering played Johnson through but the defender Woodward got back but Johnson showed all his quality twisting his way through and firing a shot past the keeper sending Valley and their players into raptures.

Howarth hit a post and Gorst made a good block but the game finished 3-3, Valley had shown great quality to come back from 3-0 down against higher-level opposition.

FT: Chester Nomads 3 Mersey Valley 3

The shootout started with Goldrick scoring, Nomads scored their first kick before Riley slotted home to make it 2-1.

Nomads then got lucky a poor penalty squirmed underneath Gorst to make it 2-2. Deering restored the lead and Gorst then gave Valley control with a great low down save.

Johnson stepped up to give the visitors a 4-2 lead but got under the ball and fired over. Nomads equalised and then Owen Adams saw his effort saved. The Nomads player stroked the ball home for a 4-3 victory for the home side.