GORNAL pulled off their second giant killing act of the season by felling Midlands Alliance outfit Studley after extra time.

Although Studley are a league above Gornal, the visitors dominated the game throughout and manager Ian Rowe will be disappointed they were unable to complete the job in 90 minutes.

The early stages were a cagey affair but it was the home side that nearly snatched the lead on 15 minutes when Paul Dowsett skinned Robin Keates on the right wing and crossed for Joe Adams, whose header was niftily saved by James Pemberton.

Almost immediately it was Studley keeper Steven Gregan who was called into action, producing the first of a series of great saves from a stinging long-distance Calum Martin shot.

On 27 minutes Kristian Green set Martin free down the win and his cross narrowly evaded Mike Perks in the six-yard box.

Perks was in action again four minutes later, crossing for Lee Wherton whose shot was blocked by Ryan Parisi and the follow-up from Richard Young saved by Gregan.

And a minute later Dave Meese’s volley from the edge of the area was tipped over well by the keeper.

Studley almost caught Gornal napping early in the second half when Keates struggled to handle a long ball and Dowsett was able to wriggle free and drill into a volley which flew just wide.

Richard Young was in the thick of the goal threat as he pushed forward from the right-back position, teeing up a volley from a Wherton corner on 55 minutes which was just over and then ten minutes later firing just over.

Lee Wherton almost broke the deadlock on 76 minutes when his shot was superbly saved by Gregan and Martin was unable to connect properly with the rebound with the goal gaping.

As the clock ticked towards normal time Wherton and Meese both tested Gregan and with two minutes to go Gregan once again came to the rescue of Studley with a save from Matt Weyman.

In the final stages Studley showed hope of snatching an unlikely victory when Thomas Lacey flashed a couple of shots over the bar on the break.

In extra time Gornal stepped up the pressure with Waterhouse smashing a shot against the bar from a corner in the third minute of extra time and ten minutes later Kristian Green wasting an excellent chance from a fine Connor Gater cross.

Studley almost made Gornal pay for their profligate approach when substitute Scott Turner should have done better when hesitant Gornal defending gave him a free header in the box.

Four minutes into the second period of added time it was Lei Brown who almost broke the deadlock for the home side when he forced a good save from Pemberton.

Just as Studley were entering the most dangerous phase of the game, Gornal finally made the breakthrough on 112 minutes when excellent work by substitute Danny Ashton created a chance for Weyman whose shot across goal managed to finally beat Gregan to grab his first goal for Gornal.

And two minutes later the game was put beyond any doubt when substitute Marvin Nisbett weaved and jinked into the box and crossed for the other substitute Matt Martin to make no mistake to poke home.

Gornal now travel to face Continental Star in the First Round Proper of the FA Vase on Saturday October 22.

Studley: Steven Gregan; Jorgan Jones; Ryan Parisi (Daniel Rolfe, 66); James Beauchamp (Captain); Daniel Hicks (Craig Hall, 70); Paul O’Brien; Jamie Bailey (Scott Turner, 107); Lei Brown; Paul Dowsett; Joe Adams; Thomas Lacey.

Gornal: James Pemberton; Richard Young; Robin Keates; Connor Gater; Chris Waterhouse (Captain); Kristian Green (Danny Ashton, 104); Lee Wherton; Dave Meese; Mike Perks (Marvin Nisbett, 74); Calum Martin (Matt Martin, 86); Matt Weyman.