Defending FA Vase champions Newport Pagnell Town will be in the semi-finals as they defeated Atherstone Town on penalties.

The Swans will be in the last four for the second season in a row as they won 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Willen Road.

Goalkeeper Martin Conway proved to be one of the heroes as he denied two penalties, including the crucial stop that settled the tie in the Swans’ favour. The goalkeeper also scored one of the penalties that helped decide the tie.

Hall had scored two penalties in regular time and although he couldn’t convert in the shootout, his team did enough to book their place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Atherstone had taken the lead twice in a lively encounter at Willen Road, with Connor Gudger having given the visitors a first half lead and Louis Baker making it 2-1 when he turned a rebound after an initial strike hit the bar.

Before the quarter final, Newport Pagnell Town had won previous ties in this season’s FA Vase against Baldock Town, Norwich United, Leighton Town and Jersey Bulls.

The draw for the next round will take place at 3pm tomorrow (13/03) on Talksport 2. Newport Pagnell Town will be joined by West Didsbury & Chorlton, Corsham Town and Congleton Town. In a remarkable twist of fate, all 4 quarter finals played on Saturday were decided by penalty shootouts.

The next round will take place on the weekend around Saturday April 1st, with the victors progressing to a grand final at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday May 21st.

Newport Pagnell Town won the competition for the first time in their history last season with a 3-0 win over Littlehampton Town at Wembley in the final, and they are aiming to become the first team to retain the title since Whitley Bay won three FA Vase titles in a row in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The result came on a weekend of achievements for Newport Pagnell Town, as their under-14s team won the Berks & Bucks FA County Cup final by beating Binfield City 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw.