FORMER York City defender Leigh Wood has had the finger of blame lifted after missing the decisive penalty in last night's shoot-out which saw Harrogate Town tumble out of the FA Cup.

The 22-year-old midfielder from Selby saw his sudden death penalty saved by Torquay United goalkeeper Andrew Marriott, who then stepped forward for United's seventh of the night and scored to put the visitors though leaving Wood visibly upset as he left the field.

Danny Holland, Jamie Heard, Gareth Grant and Chris Brass all converted their kicks with style, with hero 'keeper Michael Price keeping out Gulls skipper Craig Taylor. But Marriott saved from both Wood and Roy Hunter to earn his side a plum home tie to Notts County on December 3.

But Town manager Neil Aspin later said he blamed nobody for the defeat.

He said: "It takes a lot of bottle to take a penalty so there's no criticism whatsoever at missing a penalty. I've been there myself and I know how it feels. It shows a lot of character to stand up and take one and at the end of the day, someone's got to miss.

"The irony is that both Leigh Wood and Roy Hunter, who missed the penalties, played really well during the game."

Following on from a gate-busting crowd, Town's attentions will be back on their run at the Nationwide North play-offs.

Said Aspin:"You can't live in the past in football. It always moves on and you've always got another game to play. It's a big disappointment because they might never get that close again but at the same time, we know we will never win the FA Cup.

"We have matched a league outfit for two games and extra time and I think if you were a neutral you wouldn't notice much difference between us. That's got to be a positive from our point of view.

"But otherwise it's back to normal for us in the league. I did say they could have Thursday night off after they get home from work though."

Town chairman Bill Fotherby said: "To get a crowd of over 3,000 is unbelieveable. I was absolutely amazed at the crowd we got - the place was absolutely packed, it was out of this world.

"I'm really proud of every single one of them. To get beaten on a penalty shoot-out and extra time, that is probably the worst thing that can happen in football.

The financial aspect of Town's run amounts to some £38,750, not including gate receipts, and would have had at least another £16,000 added to that had they squeezed past Torquay United last night.

Added Fotherby: "It's a lot of money to lose on a penalty, especially when it's money which would have been well-earned by the boys."

Heroic Harrogate go out after penalty shoot-out drama

IT was inevitable that a goalkeeper would be the hero in the FA Cup first round replay between Harrogate Town and Torquay United.

Ironically though it was not man of the match Michael Price in the Harrogate goal who was bathing in the plaudits after 120 minutes plus penalties, but his opposite number Andrew Marriott.

The fact that Harrogate made it through 90 minutes and beyond at 0-0 was largely down to Price, and he even tucked away spotkick number six for the Wetherby Roaders.

But Marriott saved two and scored the conclusive goal to pocket his side £16,000, a place in the second round and the bragging rights of becoming the first team to win an FA Cup replay at Fortress Wetherby Road in 40 years.

Harrogate Town laid out their intentions in the first 30 seconds when Selby-born Leigh Wood headed a Lee Philpott corner just wide.

And they continued with a heart-stopping moment on 18 minutes when an under-hit back pass was intercepted by Marc Smith who fired across the goal-line and Steve Woods just cleared the danger.

But the importance of the goalkeepers only materialised after half-time. A power-packed shot by Kevin Hill on 75 minutes forced a phenomenal reactionary save from Price as he punched the ball onto the top of the net.

Minutes later, Philpott released Danny Holland into space with a defence-splitting pass and Marriott's knees barely got in the way of the shot.

A flick on by Smith seconds into extra time saw Holland trick his way into the box like an experienced con-man but Marriott inexplicably tipped it over the bar.

A 90th minute full-stretch save by Price from Ian Stonebridge was followed by another ten minutes into extra time again from Stonebridge at close range.

Extra time brought tired half chances, cramp galore and an overwhelming sense of a giant-killing in progress. The likes of Jamie Heard, Roy Hunter, Gareth Grant and Chris Mason never gave up their relentless chasing and slick passing. But then came the fairytale nightmare ending of penalties.

Town ran onto the field with 'No Limits' blasting out over the sound system. They matched a League Two side stride for stride with classy, positive football. It was no wonder there were people scrambling onto every available surface to get a better view.

And perhaps it's not quite so surprising to hear the comparisons to Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. They bowed out of the Carling Cup to Charlton on penalties but Mourinho denied that they had been beaten.

"We're just the same as Chelsea," smiled Town boss Neil Aspin. "A match only lasts 90 minutes so we're still unbeaten at home."

It seems a bit of a shame that the FA doesn't see things quite the same way. But then the magic of the cup wouldn't be the same without a bit of heartbeak, would it.

Town match facts

FA Cup

First round replay

Harrogate Road 0, Torquay United 0

Torquay win 6-5 on penalties

(at Wetherby Road)

Harrogate Road: Price, Mason, Wood, Brass, Ellerker, Heard, Grant, Hunter, Philpott (Lennon 110), Holland, Smith. Subs not used: Nogan, Ryan, Preston, Sutcliffe.

Booked: Wood 45, Lennon 120

Torquay United: Marriott, Sharp, Taylor, Garner (Coleman 99), Hockley, Woods, Hill, Wodman, Lloyd, Bedeau, Stonebridge. Subs not used: Hewlett, Bittner, Phillips, Sako.

Booked: Hill 9.

Referee: Clive Oliver (Ashington) Attendance: 3,317

Penalty shoot-out: Town: Holland, Heard, Grant all scored, Hunter saved, Brass scored, Price scored, Wood saved. United: Stonebridge, Coleman, Taylor hit bar, Bedeau, Lloyd, Hill, Marriott all scored. Torquay win 6-5.

Updated: 11:22 Wednesday, November 16, 2005