Irlam FC were knocked out of the FA Vase at the Second Round stage in a penalty shootout defeat by Prestwich Heys at Adie Moran Park.
After the meeting between the two North West Counties teams finished 0-0, Prestwich Heys ran out decisive 4-2 winners in the shootout.
Irlam made the short journey up the M60 to take on their local rivals and began the game brightly.
Their first meaningful chance came when John Main fired over the crossbar from distance.
Irlam continued on the front foot and went close to opening the scoring when John Johnston cut inside from the left and struck wide of the target.
In the 51st minute, Jack Buckley was called into action with an incredible save, pushing over a powerful header from Prestwich Heys.
Declan Daniels was brought on for Kingsley Williams in the 60th minute, marking Irlam FC’s first substitution of the game. John Main was also among the substitutes being subbed off in the 87th minute for James Boyd, as well as Ross Davidson, making way for Callum Sandle.
After a tense 90 minutes where neither side could break the deadlock, the game went to penalties.
Prestwich were perfect in the shootout, scoring all four penalties and James Boyd Mitchell Henry missed from twelve yards to as Irlam exited the FA Vase in dramatic fashion.
