ATHERTON Town and Elton Fold go into the hat for Thursday's Round Four draw of the LFA Shield.

And with the tie between Turton and Blackrod postponed at the weekend the region is assured of three representatives in the last 16 of the North West's top amateur cup.

What a cracker the last 32 clash between Elton Fold and Stoneclough turned out to be as Fold went through 6-5 on a sudden death penalty shoot-out decider.

"We were lucky. Stoneclough deserved to win it," admitted Guy Mallinson after seeing his Manchester League Premier Division outfit pushed to the very wire by the West Lancs League Division Two visitors.

The score stood 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes with Steve Smith scoring for the home side but with teammate John Armstrong sent off, Tim Rees grabbed Stoneclough's equaliser.

Extra time saw the visitors player/manager Peter Morris deservedly put his side in front but with the very last kick of the 120 minutes Fold levelled through Paul Owen.

The first five penalties saw three scored per side, then into sudden death, Elton scored and Stoneclough missed. A heartbreaking way to go out but Morris' lads got high praise all round for their display as shown by the home side man of the match nomination going to keeper Chris Grady.

Atherton Town made sure of that precious place in Round Four with a triumph in a difficult away trip at Slyne-With-Hest of the North Lancs League Premier.

The vital only goal of the tie came midway through the second half when Phil Hornby skinned the right back and crossed for Neil Lewis to score at the near post. Chances to kill the game went begging, Daniel Christie and Mark Warburton going close plus Gary Fitzmartin's last minute effort superbly saved.

Centre back John Elliott was named as the Leighton Packaging man of the match.

Hindsford gave the reigning Shield title holders Kirkham and Wesham the fright of their lives before going down to a 1-0 home defeat.

Squires Lane team boss Peter Barry had every right to feel proud of his Manchester League Division One team as the high-flyers from the West Lancs Premier were matched almost blow for blow.

Hindsford shaded the first half but a rare mistake by the otherwise impeccable Mark Redmond with a misjudged back pass saw Kirkham score what proved to be the crucial goal on 43 minutes.

Seventeen year old Sean Dunbabbin had an excellent first team debut on the left of midfield but on a day of several outstanding performances it was striker Matt Toone who got Barry's man of the match vote for his tireless work up front.

A water-logged Thomasson Fold pitch saw the clash between Turton and Blackrod Town postponed with the two now set to meet this Saturday with a 1.45pm kick off.

The draw for round four will be made on Thursday morning with details available on 01772 624126 after noon.