James Dadge was the hero for 10-man Harborough Town as two penalty saves in the shootout saw the Bees progress to the second round of the FA Trophy at the expense of Avro.
The first half saw chances for both sides, with Kyle Hawley running in behind only to be denied by Dadge, while Harborough’s Paul Malone saw his looping header bounce off the crossbar.
The home keeper was called into action once more as he parried away Matthew Crothers’ freekick at his near post before denying Jamie Rother, who would go on to strike the crossbar with a poked effort.
In a cagier second half, the best chance fell to Rother as his snap-shot whistled inches past the post, with the Bees having chances through Alex Morris and Connor Kennedy.
The home side shifted to a more defensive set up in the later stages of the game as Dan Cooper was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence, but the Bees defended resolutely to force penalties.
Kai Tonge’s emphatic spot-kick set the tone for the home side as Dadge’s equally impressive save down to his right prevented Liam Ellis levelling the scores.
Kennedy then doubled the lead, before a dancing Dadge watched as Crothers’ strike thundered off the crossbar.
Josh Walsh put the Bees on the brink with a well-placed penalty into the bottom corner and Dadge capped off a brilliant performance, palming Kane Wallwork’s effort away to ensure that Harborough’s name is in the hat for the next round.
Harborough Town 0
Avro 0
Harborough win 3-0 on penalties
MOTM: James Dadge (HTFC)
Match Rating: 3*
Match Report by Cristian Bratu