ANDY Collings was the shootout hero for Buckland Athletic as they squeezed past Brixham on penalties in the Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup last night.

The young keeper kept out all but one of the Fishermen’s spot kicks after an injury time equaliser saw the sides draw 2-2 in regulation. It finished 3-1 on penalties.

The Bucks took a seventh minute lead through Ryan Bush, who slid a loose ball into the net for his first goal since returning from shoulder surgery.

Play was even and chances were in short supply for the remainder of the half, with the hosts’ best opportunity to double their lead falling to Owen Stockton – who could only head straight at Brixham keeper Grant Fisher from a corner.

Visiting striker Ben Hopkins got in behind the defensive line midway through the half and forced a good stop from Collings to signal his side’s intent.

Five minutes after the break the Peninsula Premier East side were back on level terms through Callum Leech, who calmly slotted home from close range after controlling Cole Harford’s cross.

There was brief worry for Buckland on the hour when Reece Somers went in hard on Rob Farkins, who looked to have fallen awkwardly. Happily for the hosts, their talismanic central defender eventually rose to his feet and played on.

And four minutes later they were in front for the second time when substitute Tor Swann outwitted Shaun Bowden down the left to cut in and fire past Fisher.

Skipper Rich Groves saw his low free-kick saved in the first minute of injury time but the drama wasn’t done there.

A goalmouth scramble at the other end eventually saw Somers head in the latest of equalisers to force penalties for a spot in the semi-finals.

Collings kept out the efforts of Sean Adderley, Scott Robinson and Harford to see his side through.

Charlie Johansen, Groves and Ben Carter all sent Fisher the wrong way, with Tom Burt the only successful Brixham taker.

Bucks manager Paul Froude wasn’t on the touchline as he served the first game of a two-match ban for improper conduct. Assistant boss Nick Milton took the reins.

‘It wasn’t a great performance,’ Milton admitted. ‘After the performance on Saturday it was always going to be hard for us to replicate that, as it took a hell of a lot out of the lads.

‘But as a local derby it was always going to be intense, and after we took an early lead we were looking at it thinking we could kick on from there.

‘Fair play to Brixham – they harried, pushed and harassed us. They had a game plan and they caused us a lot of problems.

‘It is disappointing, though, to have the lads in at half-time and then go back out and concede an equaliser within five minutes.

‘I wanted to make changes and it was that sort of game where we needed the bench, and the changes worked with Josh Webber and Tor Swann linking up for our second goal.

‘And at the end of the game they’ve gone for it and put everyone up there in the 92nd minute and nicked an equaliser. That’s cup football, it can happen and did happen.’

There was a word of praise, too, for goalkeeper Collings – who is enjoying quite the campaign between the Buckland sticks.

‘He’s been outstanding all season,’ Milton added. ‘He’s consistently good and hopefully we’ll be able to keep him for many seasons.’

Western League action returns to Homers Heath this Saturday when Buckland entertain Clevedon Town (3pm).