A dramatic final ten minutes, and then a penalty shoot-out, lifted this game above the ordinary and eventually sent Romford into the Third Round of the BBC Essex Senior Cup, and a home tie against old rivals Waltham Abbey.

Boro made eight changes from the eleven that started at Newmarket Town in the FA Vase, but any suggestion that this would be a low key affair was dismissed as the sides exchanged early chances. The visitors were certainly taking it seriously, as could be judged by the noise generated from their bench, which was keen to ensure that all and sundry benefited from their view of proceedings.

Jesse Olukolu had two efforts off target in the early stages, while Jake Anderson was moved to save a free kick from Tariq Ahmed-Issa after 5 minutes, but after 9 minutes the visitors were ahead when Romford failed to clear a corner and Dean Ager – once of Colchester United – scored from ten yards.

Much of the rest of the half was spent with Romford creating and missing chances, some more clear cut than others. Martin Tuohy had a powerful header well saved by Pegasus keeper William Healy, and then Alex Balisani hit a post with a shot from outside the box after 15 minutes.

Jack Glenister –booked later for a foul on 27 minutes - was denied by a low save by Healy after being found by Olukolu’s cut back after 19 minutes, and on the half hour, Camilo Restrepo latched onto Balisani’s pass but could only find the side netting. A cross by Kris Newby was flicked wide by Tuohy after 40 minutes, and in stoppage time, a stooping header by Balisani from Jamie Hursit’s cross was just wide.

Stanway had plenty of possession without creating much that threatened Jake Anderson’s goal other than a speculative long range effort that the Boro keeper scurried back to divert against a post.

The visitors had the ball in the net ten minutes into the second half when Anderson could only parry a free-kick and the rebound was converted, but an offside flag cut short their celebrations. Another Stanway free-kick, by Ahmed-Issa, was sent narrowly wide on the hour, and then Ager’s shot was well saved by Anderson.

At this stage Romford were threatening little, but Emmanuel Robe’s pace drew Boro level when he reached a through ball before Stanway keeper Healy, who brought him down (pictured below).

Healy was yellow carded, and Robe converted the spot-kick.

Jake Gordon’s introduction gave fresh impetus to the Boro attack, and after Balisani picked up a yellow for simulation, Gordon’s 75th minute chipped cross was headed just wide by Robe. Gordon then struck a fierce shot from outside the box that hit a post in the 78th minute, but Stanway were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute. Ager stepped up to score and restore his side’s lead, and when Tuohy’s header from Tambeson Eyong’s cross shortly afterwards was saved, it looked as though it was game over.

Two minutes from the end of normal time, Boro equalised. Balisani pulled the ball back from the left and Restrepo fired into the roof of the net. Tyrese Sibanda – well found by Robe’s long pass – shot over as Boro pressed for a winner, which it seemed they had in the 92nd minute. Robe’s quick throw found Balisani, whose pass was picked up and swept into the net by Restrepo.

Four minutes into stoppage time Stanway Pegasus equalised. Ager’s low cross from the left found Ahmed-Issa in oceans of space, and he converted to make it three apiece after a breathless final ten minutes.

In the shoot-out, eleven penalties were converted, albeit Jake Anderson got a hand to a couple, before Stanway’s Gianni Sabini hit the bar with the twelfth to give Boro victory, 6-5.

Penalty shoot-out details:

Romford first:
Martin Tuohy, Emmanuel Robe, Jack Glenister, Jake Gordon, Alex Balisani, Tambeson Eyong all scored.

Stanway Pegasus:
Tariq Ahmed-Issa, Dean Ager, Ben Parkin, Samir Rhaiti, Will Bray all scored: Gianni Sabini missed (hit bar)

Romford: Jake Anderson, Jamie Hursit (Jake Gordon, 69m), Toby Barlow, Jack Glenister, Tambeson Eyong, Bleron Ademi, Jesse Olukolu (Tyrese Sibanda, 66m), Kris Newby (Emmanuel Robe, 58m), Martin Tuohy, Camilo Restrepo, Alex Balisani.

Picture by Alan Blackholly.