IN THIS Hants Intermediate Cup tie Stockbridge faced a Colden Common side that had beaten them earlier in the season at the Recreation Ground in a league match.

The Robins were without the suspended Jazz Beavis but gave a debut to recent signing Jamie Pollard and made the worst possible start when with only four minutes of gone a shot on the turn by Oly Dobson sailed into the home net to give his side the lead.

After a shaky 15 minutes the home side began to settle down and Pollard was unlucky to see his looping shot go just over the bar and an Ashley Childs’ effort sailed just wide of the far post.

On the half hour Jordan Brown put the finishing touches to a slick Stockbridge move involving Lee Hamilton, Childs and Dave Cotter and they piled on the pressure but the score remained 1-1 at half- time.

The second half saw Stockbridge go behind again after only five minutes when sloppy defending saw Common’s Ryan Moth, who recently joined them from Stockbridge, completely unmarked and he slotted the ball home.

The visitors continued to press causing all sorts of problems for the home defence and it was no real surprise when just after the hour mark Harry Barrett made it 3-1.

Five minutes later Stockbridge were given a lifeline when Cotter burst through and put the ball past Common’s keeper Will Barnett.

A minute later, Pollard struck home to level the scores and with five minutes to go Pollard netted his second to give the Robins the lead and complete a remarkable turnaround.

With seconds left there was another twist when Stockbridge’s Thom Adams brought down a visitor’s player in the penalty area presenting Colden Common with a penalty and getting himself a red card for a second bookable offence.

After all the good work to get themselves in front Stockbridge faced going into extra-time with only ten men but Colden Common’s Aiden Reid was denied by a stunning penalty save by Robin’s keeper Dan Kempson with what was the last kick of the game.

This result will give them renewed confidence when they travel to high flying Baffin Milton Rovers in the league tomorrow.