Salford's Emirates FA Cup campaign has come to an end but the loss did not come without an epic fight to the finish which saw both the Ammies and Peterborough once again lock horns and battle it out for 123 minutes of full and extra time before ultimately deciding the outcome of the First Round replay during punishing penalties. The teams were meeting for a second time following a 2-2 draw earlier in the month, this time on Salford's home turf at the Peninsula Stadium. Defender Curtis Tilt started the score tally for Salford with an early header into Peterborough's net but Posh were having none of it, hitting back through a succession of goals from Joel Randall, Ephron Mason-Clark and Collins. Tilt headed in his second of the night from Watt’s corner after 54 minutes to revive Salford hopes, followed seven minutes later with a goal from defender Josh Knight who placed Conor McAleny’s cross into the net, bringing both teams back neck and neck at Full Time and heading into Extra Time. With Extra Time underway and 104 minutes on the clock a Goal for Salford City 4, Peterborough United 3 thanks to a Stephen Mallan right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner, assisted by Matthew Lund in the first half of Extra Time which ended with Salford up a goal. With the second half of Extra Time fast coming to an end, things were looking good for the Ammies as Peterborough were mere seconds away from a shock first-round exit but it was not to be as substitute Jonson Clarke-Harris fired in an equaliser in the last throws of time added on at the end of extra time to bring both teams level pegging and heading into a penalty shootout. Salford's skipper Alex Cairns gallantly saved two penalties, giving Elliot Watt the chance to bag the win but unfortunately the kick hit the post and Archie Collins’ success from 12 yards and Talley’s save sent Posh through to a second-round meeting with Doncaster at home. Neil Wood, said via SFTV: "It's a weird one, a range of emotions, ups and downs, but we are very disappointed not to go through. "We're gutted for the players; the effort, the work rate that they've put in tonight it's the same as the first leg. We just can't quite get it over the line at the minute, we just needed to defend the last free-kick and we're through the tie. "In the second half I thought we were outstanding to get back in front in the game so fair play to the lads. They've given it their all, they did really well to come from behind and get themselves in front, it was just unfortunate we couldn't see it through. "We almost did but it was disappointing to concede with the last kick of the game, and again we had the chance to slot the winning penalty away but we hit the post so it’s really fine margins at the moment but that’ll change at some point. "It’ll swing and we’ll start getting our way but we’ve got to keep working hard, playing well, even Saturday against Mansfield I thought we played really well, keep improving and we know it’ll change." A hard loss for the club but onwards and upwards, Salford face off away against Gillingham on the 18th Nov. Tickets can be purchased here
