Wilmington surrendered their seven-match unbeaten run on Saturday and with it the opportunity to progress to the latter stages of the Kent Junior Cup after a dramatic 5-3 defeat in boggy conditions at home to Eltham Palace.

In a game full of twists, in-form striker Adam Harber put Wilmington ahead after 15 minutes with an instinctive strike from inside the box.

Eltham levelled minutes later but Gary Letchford pounced on Lee Keating's cross and fired home from a tight angle to restore the Wilmington lead.

But just before the interval, a looping effort from outside the penalty area caught out home goalkeeper Danny Mills, who palmed the ball into his own net.

The second half followed the same pattern with both sides on the offensive. Wilmington squandered a number of good chances and they were punished when Eltham broke away and took the lead for the first time in the game.

But a powerful Mark Linsdell header from the edge of the box drew Wilmington level with just 10 minutes left.

With Wilmington pressing hard for the winner, Eltham broke again and a lovely 20-yard strike was tipped onto the underside of the bar by Mills, only for the ball to bounce behind the line to put Eltham 4-3 ahead.

And a another late effort from the visitors secured their place in next week's County wide draw.

Wilmington Reserves' jinxed home form continued as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat against title contenders Cambridge University. Cambridge took the lead midway through the first half but just before the break Gavin Emmett combined well with Rick Cartwright, before confidently stroking the ball in.

But in a rare second-half break, Cambridge scored their winner.

This Saturday Wilmington return to league action when they entertain Farnborough at Oakfield Park, kick off at 2pm.

December 11, 2001 17:45