Hungerford Town progressed to the fourth round of the FA Trophy with a 5-3 penalty shoot out win over Heybridge Swifts.

The Crusaders converted all their penalties in the shoot out and with Jed Ward saving from Lee Noble it ensured progression to the next round.

Heybridge took the lead in the first half through Ross Wall but Jake Evans equalised with a free kick in the second half to take the game to spot kicks.

Hungerford started the game brightly, Ryan Jones played in Evans whose shot was saved by Callum Chafer, albeit it would not have counted as the linesman raised his flag for offside.

Evans’ free kick was then saved down low by the goalkeeper before he caught an attempt at his near post by Niko Muir.

Kyle Bailey had a header which looked to have been on target cleared away by a defender from a Jones free kick.

The hosts came out of the first fifteen minutes unscathed and managed to gain more control of the match as the half wore on.

Wall came close to connecting with Tyler Brampton’s whipped in cross from close range.

In the 32nd minute Wall did put Heybridge ahead in the tie, the striker raced onto a ball over the top of the Crusaders defence and slotted past Ward.

Hungerford missed two opportunities to level the scores before half-time when Jones fired over an Evans cut back before the on-loan Bristol Rovers midfielder set up Curtis Angell with a header at the back post which he failed to direct on target.

Hungerford dominated possession in the second half, taking firm charge of the contest.

Louis McGrory’s shot was deflected onto the crossbar and Callum Willmoth missed a chance when Jones picked him out unmarked from a corner.

When Darren Phillips pushed Dan Roberts to the floor, Evans punished the defender by firing a free kick low into the corner of the net.

Chafer made a good save with his legs moments later to deny Rhys Tyler before a driving run from Jones teed up Christie Ward whose first time shot flew over the bar.

Chafer also denied Ward from a tight angle and then made a fine reflex save to deny the on-loan Wycombe player following a superb free kick into the penalty area by Evans.

With the game finishing 1-1 this third-round tie needed penalties to determine who would progress.

Evans scored the first penalty followed by Roberts, Muir and Jones. Ward saved from Noble allowing McGrory to put Hungerford into the draw for the FA Trophy fourth round