CONSETT suffered extra-time heartache as they crashed out of the League Cup at the quarter-final stage in a game they had several chances to win. But the visitors were more clinical with their chances, and gave less away at the back, to secure a semi-final meeting with Shildon, who beat Dunston on penalties.

Caretaker manager David Hagan was forced to make three changes to the side beaten at Whitley Bay, with Marc Walton cup-tied and Jonjo Dickman and Carl Piecha injured. In came Anthony Lund, Danny Craggs and Kieran Megran, with Consett lining up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Gavin Barton as the lone striker.

Benfield went ahead on 10 minutes when Consett failed to clear their lines from a simple ball pumped into their box. Old boy Brian Dodsworth reacted quickest to thump a tremendous volley past Barry Poskett from just outside the area. Five minutes later he had another chance from a half-clearance, but this time his shot lacked power and direction, and trundled wide.

There was a worrying moment for Consett when centre-half David Scorer went over on his ankle, and needed lengthy treatment, and, with only 10 home players on the pitch, Alu Bangura tried his luck with a free-kick from just outside the box, but Poskett saved his low effort comfortably.

Before Consett had the chance to make their substitution there was another worrying moment when Benfield right-back Mark Turnbull caught Jamie Poole with a two-footed lunge. The referee showed him yellow when some might have deemed it a red card-offence, and Poole was okay to continue after treatment. The same couldn't be said for Scorer, and he limped off, with Scott Martindale taking his place at the heart of the defence.

Chris Feasey went close for Benfield after the Consett defence again failed to clear their lines, but as half-time approached the Steelmen at last found a way back into the game. Their best move of the half saw Poole and Barton combine to set up Danny Craggs, who worked a shooting chance for himself but was unable to test Benfield keeper Andrew Grainger. With their next attack, right on the stroke of half-time, Consett levelled. Craggs spread the ball wide to Eccles on the right, and his cross picked out Barton, who finished at the front post for his 21st goal of the season.

Half time: Consett 1-1 Benfield

Consett started the second half brighter, and Barton should have added a second after good work by Eccles and Slaughter down the right, but poked wide his shot on the turn. But the home side suffered another blow on 55 minutes when Martindale had to come off feeling his hamstring, and Andrew Cuthbertson came on, with Richard Slaughter dropping from midfield to centre-back.

Within four minutes, before Consett had settled into the reshuffle, Benfield were ahead after a rash challenge by Ryan Bell on Dodsworth in the box. There were no complaints, and the ex-Steelman picked himself up to put away the penalty.

On 75 minutes the home side were level for a second time when an Eccles free-kick found Barton's head, and Bell made amends for his earlier error by making sure from close-in for his first goal for the club.

Eccles then hit a wickedly swerving effort which Grainger did well to parry out as Consett pressed for a winner, and Barton flashed a header just wide from the resulting corner. Then in added time Dale Burrell had a glorious chance to win the game. He won possession, swapped passes with Barton and was through on goal, only to lose his composure at the vital moment and blaze his shot over.

Full time: Consett 2-2 Benfield

Extra time it was then, and Benfield started the brighter. Richard Paxton headed over from a corner, and Dodsworth couldn't steer a near-post effort on target from Adam Scope's cross after the No 7 skinned his man down the right. Consett's reply was a free-kick from Eccles which Grainger just whipped off the head of Barton, and another chance for Burrell which he couldn't get over the top of.

There were no goals in the first period of extra time, but more poor defending by Consett saw them go behind just two minutes into the second. They stood off Adam Rowntree as he surged into the box down the left, allowing him to square for the unmarked Stuart Wright, who finished from eight yards.

The rest of the extra period saw Consett throw everything at Benfield, and their best chance fell to Barton with seven minutes to go. A long ball from Craggs was only half-cleared and fell for Craig Robson, whose 25-yarder was blocked. The rebound fell for Barton, who couldn't keep his follow-up effort down.

With four minutes remaining, Eccles tried his luck from 25 yards, but saw his shot deflected out for a corner, and it was as Consett continued to press for an equaliser to take the game to penalties that Benfield scored their fourth. There was more than a suspicion of offside as Scope broke down the right, but when his cross picked out Kenny Boyle the game was over and Consett were out.

Extra time: Consett 2-4 Benfield

GARY WELFORD